Animal-assisted therapy for middle-aged schizophrenic patients living in a social institution. A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether animal-assisted therapy is effective in the rehabilitation of middle-aged schizophrenic patients living in a social institution.


METHODS
A before and after study with nine-month treatment period.


METHODS
Social institute for psychiatric patients.


METHODS
Seven schizophrenic patients living in the social institute.


METHODS
Weekly sessions of animal-assisted therapy for a nine-month period, each therapeutic session lasting for 50 minutes. MEASURES USED: The Independent Living Skills Survey assessed by an independent rater.


RESULTS
After the completion of the therapy significant improvement in the domestic and health activities occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Animal-assisted therapy seems to be helpful in the rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients living in a social institution.
Kovács
Zoltán
Z
Semmelweis University of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Balassa u.6., 1083 Budapest, Hungary. kovzoli@psych.sote.hu
Kis
Renáta
R
Rózsa
Sándor
S
Rózsa
Linda
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology