Animal-assisted therapy ameliorates anhedonia in schizophrenia patients. A controlled pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Anhedonia, a component of the negative symptom dimension and a core phenomenon in schizophrenia, is associated with poor social functioning and is resistant to treatment. We tested the hypothesis that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) may improve anhedonia.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of psychosocial treatment sessions in which a dog was an active participant (AAT) with comparable sessions without a dog, using a controlled protocol.


METHODS
The hedonic tone of 10 chronic schizophrenia patients who participated in 10 weekly interactive sessions of AAT was compared to a control group treated without animal assistance. The hedonic tone was measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. Subjective quality of life variables and clinical symptoms were also assessed.


RESULTS
The AAT group showed a significant improvement in the hedonic tone compared to controls. They also showed an improvement in the use of leisure time and a trend towards improvement in motivation.


CONCLUSIONS
AAT may contribute to the psychosocial rehabilitation and quality of life of chronic schizophrenia patients.
Nathans-Barel
Inbar
I
Brain Behavior Laboratory, Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Mobile Post Hefer, Haifa, Israel.
Feldman
Pablo
P
Berger
Barry
B
Modai
Ilan
I
Silver
Henry
H
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D009042:Motivation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires