A dog’s effect on clients’ heart rate and blood pressure and the possibilities of its use in relaxation
Kristýna Machová1, Dan Poběrežský1, Ivona Svobodová1, Jitka Vařeková2
1 Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Department of Husbandry and Ethology of Animals, Prague, Czech Republic
2 Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Adapted Physical Education and Sport Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
Korespondenční autor: Kristýna Machová (machovakristyna@af.czu.cz)
ISSN 1804-7181 (On-line)
Full verze:
Submitted:20. 9. 2017
Accepted: 13. 11. 2017
Published online: 31. 12. 2017
Summary
Introduction: Canistherapy (dog as a means of treatment) includes various activities, the goal of which is to support the psychological and somatic functions of a patient to rehabilitate and treat them. Foreign studies have proven that dogs have a positive influence on fine motor skills, gross motor skills, movement, and motivation for therapies, anxiety, depression, socialization and cognitive functions. Dogs are usually used as cotherapists or canistherapists’ associates in AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) and AAA (Animal Assisted Activity). Patient contact and communication with animals (giving them treats and walking them) help to stimulate and activate patients with various diseases and impairments. Direct contact with a dog provides relaxation and a feeling of peace. It also evokes the feeling of sharing and offers the opportunity to change from difficult to light conversation topics. Goal: The goal of the research was to verify the effect of contact with dogs on blood pressure and how this evokes relaxation in twelve healthy adults. Materials and methods: Twelve adults (five men and seven women) underwent a thirty-minute intervention, which consisted of patients lying on their back for twenty minutes. The patients’ upper body was in direct contact with a dog. This was followed by a ten-minute monitoring without the dog. Ten people showed a decrease in blood pressure, and nine showed a decrease in pulse frequency. Conclusion: It is possible to say that the monitored individuals became relaxed due to the contact with a dog. In all cases, the therapy can be assessed as positive, because most clients showed a decrease in the monitored parameters. A systolic pressure decrease was observed in ten out of twelve clients. A diastolic pressure decrease was observed in ten clients, while one client showed unchanged values. Pulse frequency was decreased in nine out of twelve cases, and pressure decrease was observed in 83.3%. Decreased pulse frequency was 75% successful. All the monitored clients said that the therapy was pleasant, calming and that they would happily repeat it. A positive attitude toward animals, in this case dogs, is the basis for successful results of this alternative method.
Keywords: dog; therapy; pulse; blood pressure
Literatura
1. Allen K (2003). Are Pets a Healthy Pleasure? The Influence of Pets on Blood Pressure. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 12/6: 236.
2. Altschiller D (2011). Animal-assisted therapy. Greenwood. Santa Barbara, Calif. Health and Medical Issues Today.
3. Berek DL (2013). Animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Salem Press Encyclopedia.
4. Cole KM, Gawlinki A, Sters N, Kotlerman J (2007). Animal-Assisted Therapy in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure. American Journal of Critical Care. 16: 575–585.
5. Fine AH (Ed.) (2010). Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Academic Press. San Diego.
6. Filan SL, Llewellyn-Jones RH (2006). Animal-assisted therapy for dementia: a review of the literature. International Psychogeriatrics. 18/4: 597–612.
7. Jorgenson J (1997). Therapeutic use of companion animals in health. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 29/3: 249–254.
8. Kalinová V (2006). Canistherapy As Supporting Rehabilitation Method In Czech Republic. Journal of Health Sciences Management and Public Health, pp. 261–271.
9. Lejčarová A, Skálová M (2009). The use of canistherapy in a child with hyperkinetic syndrome. Kontakt. 11: 413–423.
10. Odendaal JSJ, Meintjes RA (2003). Neurophysiological Correlates of Affiliative Behaviour between Humans and Dogs. The Veterinary Journal. 165/3: 296–301.
11. Proulx D (1998). Animal-assisted therapy. Critical Care Nurse. 18/2: 80.
12. Sobo EJ, Eng B, Kassity-Krich N (2006). Canine visitation (pet) therapy pilot data on decreases in child pain perception. Jornal of Holistic Nursing. 24: 51–57.
13. Stefanini MC, Martino A, Bacci B, Tani F (2016). The effect of animal-assisted therapy on emotional and behavioral symptoms in children and adolescents hospitalized for acute mental disorders. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 8/2: 81–88.
14. Tsai Ch-Ch, Friedmann E, Thomas SA (2010). The Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Stress Responses in Hospitalized Children. Anthrozoos. 23: 245–258.
15. Velde BP, Cipriani J, Fisher G (2005). Resident and therapist views of animal-assisted therapy: Implications for occupational therapy practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 52/1: 43– 50.
16. Wilkes JK (2009). The Role of Companion Animals in Counseling and Psychology: Discovering Their Use in the Therapeutic Process. III: Charles C Thomas. Springfield.
