title: Pet therapy effects on oncological day hospital patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Carrara City Hospital, piazza Sacco e Vanzetti, 54033 Carrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orlandi
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trangeled
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mambrini
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tagliani
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrarini
authors.forename: Liana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tartarini
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pacetti
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantore
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010100:Oxygen