Filan Susan L, Llewellyn-Jones Robert H
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Int Psychogeriatr. 2006 Dec;18(4):597-611. doi: 10.1017/S1041610206003322. Epub 2006 Apr 26.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is gaining popularity as part of therapy programs in residential aged care facilities. Humans and pet dogs respond to quiet interaction with a lowering of blood pressure and an increase in neurochemicals associated with relaxation and bonding. These effects may be of benefit in ameliorating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Medline, PsychInfo and CINAHL databases (1960-2005) were searched for papers on AAT or pets and dementia. Publications of controlled trials that measured the effect of AAT for dementia were reviewed.
Several small studies suggest that the presence of a dog reduces aggression and agitation, as well as promoting social behavior in people with dementia. One study has shown that aquaria in dining rooms of dementia care units stimulate residents to eat more of their meals and to gain weight but is limited by the small number of facilities studied. There is preliminary evidence that robotic pets may provide pleasure and interest to people with dementia.
Current literature suggests that AAT may ameliorate BPSD, but the duration of the beneficial effect has not been explored. The relative benefits of "resident" versus "visiting" pet dogs are unclear and are confounded by the positive effect of pet interaction on staff or caregivers. Further research on the potential benefits of AAT is recommended.
动物辅助疗法（AAT）作为寄宿制老年护理机构治疗项目的一部分正越来越受欢迎。人类和宠物狗在安静互动时，血压会降低，与放松和亲密关系相关的神经化学物质会增加。这些效应可能有助于改善痴呆症的行为和心理症状（BPSD）。
检索Medline、PsychInfo和CINAHL数据库（1960 - 2005年）中关于AAT或宠物与痴呆症的论文。对测量AAT对痴呆症影响的对照试验出版物进行了综述。
几项小型研究表明，狗的存在可减少痴呆症患者的攻击性和烦躁情绪，并促进其社交行为。一项研究表明，痴呆症护理单元餐厅里的水族箱能刺激居民多进食并增重，但该研究受限于所研究设施数量较少。有初步证据表明，机器宠物可能会给痴呆症患者带来愉悦和兴趣。
当前文献表明，AAT可能改善BPSD，但尚未探究其有益效果的持续时间。“常住”宠物狗与“来访”宠物狗的相对益处尚不清楚，且宠物互动对工作人员或护理人员的积极影响使其变得复杂。建议对AAT的潜在益处进行进一步研究。
