Animal-Assisted Therapy for Reducing Anxiety in Vulnerable Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Anxiety is common in individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or during hospitalization.
• Current healthcare often inadequately addresses this prevalent anxiety.
• Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a proposed complementary intervention with fragmented evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the evidence on AAT for anxiety reduction in specific populations.
• To synthesize findings across diverse methodologies and patient groups.
• To identify gaps in current research regarding AAT's efficacy and application.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Searched four major databases (Scopus, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, PubMed) for studies from 2013-2023.
• Included empirical studies on AAT by professionals using domesticated animals, focusing on anxiety outcomes in target populations.

Main Results:

• Thirty-one studies were included, primarily using dogs and horses.
• Most AAT interventions reported significant short-term anxiety reductions.
• Randomized clinical trials showed superior efficacy compared to controls across various conditions (PTSD, pediatrics, chronic illness, etc.).

Conclusions:

• AAT is a promising complementary therapy for anxiety in clinical and healthcare settings.
• Evidence supports short-term anxiolytic effects in diverse populations.
• Further research is needed to standardize interventions, understand mechanisms, and evaluate long-term outcomes.