title: Evaluation of a pet-assisted living intervention for improving functional status in assisted living residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairment: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In older adults with cognitive impairment (CI), decreased functional status and increased behavioral symptoms require relocation from assisted living (AL) to nursing homes. Studies support positive effects of pets on health/function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the effectiveness of the Pet AL (PAL) intervention to support physical, behavioral, and emotional function in AL residents with CI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cognitively impaired AL residents randomized to 60-90 minute sessions [PAL (n = 22) or reminiscing (n = 18)] twice/week for 12 weeks. PAL interventionist encourages residents to perform skills with the visiting dog; reminiscing interventionist encourages residents to reminisce. Monthly assessment of physical (energy expenditure, activities of daily living), emotional (depression, apathy), and behavioral (agitation) function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In linear mixed models, physical activity depressive symptoms improved more with PAL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence supports that the PAL program helps preserve/enhance function of AL residents with CI. Additional study is required to evaluate the duration and predictors of effectiveness of the PAL intervention.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA efrie002@son.umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Friedmann
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galik
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Sue A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: P Sue
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Seon Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCune
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D057565:Apathy; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: activities of daily living; agitation; animal assisted; dementia; depression; intervention; physical activity