Measuring clinical outcomes of animal-assisted therapy: impact on resident medication usage.
OBJECTIVE
To measure changes in medication usage of as-needed, psychoactive medications and other select as-needed medication usage as a result of a therapy dog residing in the rehabilitation facility. Additional measures are participants' thoughts and feelings on quality-of-life factors.


METHODS
One group, pretest, post-test.


METHODS
Residential rehabilitation facility.


METHODS
Convenience sample, N = 58 residents living at the facility.


METHODS
A certified, trained therapy dog.


METHODS
Changes in as-needed medication usage for the following categories: analgesics, psychoactive medications, and laxatives, as well as changes in vital sign measurements of blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and body weight. Additionally, changes in the residents' perception of quality-of-life factors.


RESULTS
One of the three monitored drug classes, analgesia, revealed a decrease in medication usage (mean = 2.6, standard deviation [SD] +/- 6.90, P = 0.017), and one of four monitored vital signs, pulse, showed a decrease (mean = 5.8, SD +/-7.39, P = 0.000) in study participants exposed to the therapy dog. Positive changes were reported in study participants' quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefits to human welfare as a result of the presence of a therapy dog have the potential to decrease medication usage for certain conditions in long-term care patients as well as decrease costs. Pharmacist involvement in animal-assisted therapy has the potential to make unique and measurable improvements to best patient care.
Lust
Elaine
E
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA. elainel@creighton.edu
Ryan-Haddad
Ann
A
Coover
Kelli
K
Snell
Jeff
J
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004285:Dogs; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D002400:Cathartics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs