Animal-assisted therapy for elderly schizophrenic patients - A one-year controlled dial

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been used as a therapeutic tool in variou s psychiatric populations, but there have been no published studies with el derly schizophrenic patients. The authors evaluated, in a blinded, controll ed manner, the effects of AAT in a closed psychogeriatric ward over 12 mont hs. Subjects were 10 elderly schizophrenic patients and 10 matched patients (mean age: 79.1 +/-6.7 years). The outcome measure was the Scale for Socia l Adaptive Functioning Evaluation (SAFE). AAT was conducted in weekly 4-hou r sessions, Treatment encouraged mobility, interpersonal contact, and commu nication and reinforced activities of daily living (ADLs), including person al hygiene and independent self-care, through the use of cats and dogs as " modeling companions." The SAFE scores at termination showed significant imp rovement compared with baseline scores and were significantly more positive for the AAT group on both Total SAFE score and on the Social Functions sub scale. AAT proved a successful tool for enhancing socialization, ADLs and g eneral well-being.