Effects of Dog-Assisted Occupational Therapy on Upper Limb Functions in ALS and Other Neuromuscular Disorders: A...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Animal-Assisted Interventions

Background:

• Previous studies showed animal-assisted therapy (AAT) benefits balance, walking, and mood in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• The current study expands AAT research to upper limb (UL) function and mood in ALS and other neuromuscular disorders (NMDs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of AAT on upper limb function and mood symptoms in patients with ALS and other NMDs.
• To compare AAT's efficacy against traditional occupational therapy in these patient groups.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-eight patients received a 2-week occupational therapy program.
• The AAT group (N=34) incorporated dog interaction sessions three times weekly.
• Outcome measures included hand grip strength, manual dexterity, and mood symptoms, analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and ANCOVA.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed improved hand grip strength, but mood symptoms improved significantly only in the AAT group.
• The AAT group demonstrated superior post-treatment values for UL strength and mood.
• In ALS patients analyzed separately, AAT uniquely improved hand grip strength and mood symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Animal-assisted therapy offers greater benefits for upper limb strength and mood symptoms compared to traditional treatments in NMDs.
• AAT shows potential as a valuable component of rehabilitation strategies for ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
• Findings support integrating AAT to enhance patient recovery and well-being in neurological rehabilitation.