Pet therapy effects on oncological day hospital patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
BACKGROUND
Pet therapy is utilised to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. The impact of AAA (animal-assisted activities), a kind of pet therapy, on oncological patients submitted to chemotherapy was evaluated.


METHODS
Two groups of patients receiving chemotherapy with (experimental group) or without AAA (control group) were compared. The 2 participating dogs have been trained by a cynophilist behaviourist and examined by a veterinarian. Before and after chemotherapy both groups of patients were asked to fill out a A.De.Ss.O. test questionnaire, a simplified Italian version of Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were recorded.


RESULTS
Depression improved only in the AAA group (p=0.01). Arterial oxygen saturation increased in the experimental group (p=0.004), while it decreased in the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
AAA during chemotherapy reduces depression of patients and increases their arterial oxygen saturation.
Orlandi
Massimo
M
Department of Oncology, Carrara City Hospital, piazza Sacco e Vanzetti, 54033 Carrara, Italy.
Trangeled
Karina
K
Mambrini
Andrea
A
Tagliani
Mauro
M
Ferrarini
Ada
A
Zanetti
Liana
L
Tartarini
Roberta
R
Pacetti
Paola
P
Cantore
Maurizio
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011788:Quality of Life; D012960:Socioenvironmental Therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010100:Oxygen