Animal-assisted treatment in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: a scoping review

Scoping review.

Animal-assisted treatment (AATx) has found application in the rehabilitation of individuals with neurophysiological conditions, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), to improve factors such as gait, respiratory function, and well-being. However, no overview of the scientific literature in this area currently exists. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to assemble all empirical studies concerning the use of AATx in the rehabilitation of individuals with SCI.

Seven databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, and CINAHL) were systematically searched for relevant studies. Via double-screening, eligible studies were required to be peer-reviewed, report original data, include adult participants ( ≥ 18 years) living with SCI, and evaluate an AATx intervention in a rehabilitation context. Data were double-extracted from all included studies.

From 257 unique records screened, 10 studies were included per our eligibility criteria. Results were categorized according to intervention type. Five studies evaluated canine-assisted treatment interventions, finding reductions in such metrics as muscle activity, pushrim kinetics, and cardiovascular outcomes, although pain severity and interference were not significantly improved. Five studies evaluated equine-assisted treatment interventions, finding improvements in such outcomes as spasticity, weight distribution, and ankle range-of-motion, though long-term effects were contested.

Preliminary findings suggest positive effects across a range of physiological and psychological outcomes, although some outcomes were not significantly improved or sustained. There is a need for more high-quality, longitudinal research and examples of AATx integrated into standard treatment in order to make recommendations for the use of AATx in SCI clinical practice.