School of Psychology, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Australia.
UQ Business School, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Australia.
Clin Gerontol. 2020 Jul-Sep;43(4):365-377. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2019.1650863. Epub 2019 Aug 17.
. The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to investigate the effect of companion animals (whether simply as pets or used in more formal intervention approaches) on the physical and mental health of older adults (aged 60+).
. The reviewers identified key search terms and conducted a systematic search of the PsycINFO and PubMed databases. The 70 articles reviewed were evaluated through tabular and thematic analysis.
. In 52 of the studies examined, companion animals positively contributed to the mental and/or physical health of older adults. With respect to mental health, involvement with a companion animal improved participant quality of life and effectively attenuated symptoms of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and the behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In relation to physical health, marked increases in physical activity and improvements in blood pressure and heart rate variability were the only consistent physical health improvements observed from companion animal interactions.
. Animal companionship can benefit the mental and physical health of older adults, although more and better controlled research on this topic is required.
. Use of companion animals has the potential to be an effective treatment or adjunct therapy to improve the health status and quality of life of older individuals.
本系统文献回顾（SLR）旨在调查伴侣动物（无论是作为宠物简单存在还是用于更正式的干预方法）对 60 岁及以上老年人身心健康的影响。
审查员确定了关键搜索词，并对 PsycINFO 和 PubMed 数据库进行了系统搜索。通过表格和主题分析对 70 篇综述文章进行了评估。
在 52 项研究中，伴侣动物对老年人的心理健康和/或身体健康产生了积极影响。就心理健康而言，与伴侣动物的互动提高了参与者的生活质量，并有效减轻了抑郁、焦虑、认知障碍以及痴呆症的行为和精神症状（BPSD）。在身体健康方面，仅观察到从伴侣动物互动中观察到的身体活动明显增加和血压及心率变异性改善这两种一致的身体健康改善。
动物陪伴可以有益于老年人的身心健康，但需要更多和更好控制的研究。
伴侣动物的使用有可能成为一种有效的治疗或辅助疗法，以改善老年人的健康状况和生活质量。
