title: Effect of Pet Insects on the Psychological Health of Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is evidence that animal-assisted therapy has positive effects on mental health, especially in elderly people. Caring for insects is easy, relatively inexpensive, and does not require much space.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this 8-week randomized, controlled, single-blinded study was to investigate the effect of pet insects on the psychological health of community-dwelling elderly people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elderly subjects (≥65 years old) attending a community center in Daegu, Korea, were enrolled in the study between April and May 2014 and randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive insect therapy and health advice or only health advice. The insect group received 5 crickets in a cage with sufficient fodder and a detailed instruction manual. At baseline and at 8 weeks, all subjects underwent psychometric tests via a direct interview [Beck Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Insomnia Severity Index, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument] and laboratory analyses of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, biological antioxidant potential, and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The insect-caring (n = 46) and control (n = 48) groups did not differ in baseline characteristics. The insect-caring group had significantly lower GDS-15 scores at week 8 (3.20 vs. 4.90, p = 0.004) and, after adjustment for baseline values, a significantly greater change in GDS-15 scores relative to baseline (-1.12 vs. 0.20, p = 0.011). They also had a significantly greater change in MMSE scores relative to baseline (1.13 vs. 0.31, p = 0.045). The two groups did not differ in terms of other psychometric and laboratory tests. No serious risks or adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caring for insects, which is cost-effective and safe, was associated with a small to medium positive effect on depression and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Chang-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.forename: Seong-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: So-Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006135:Gryllidae; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007313:Insecta; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000276:immunology; D057805:Pets; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000276:immunology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002097:C-Reactive Protein