Perspectives on Integrative Medicine

Review Article

The Role of Animal Assisted Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review: Denis Arsovski; Perspect Integr Med. 2024;3(3):142-151. Published online October 23, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.10.003

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Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia significantly reduce the daily functioning and quality of life of individuals. Traditional treatments often fall short, thus opening interest in complementary therapies like animal assisted therapy (AAT) which encourages the human-animal bond and gives emotional and psychological support. This review evaluated the efficacy of AAT in treating mental health disorders, and understanding its mechanisms and benefits. A comprehensive literature review was conducted (using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate) focused on peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in the last 2 decades. Studies indicated that AAT improved mental health outcomes for people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Interaction with therapy animals reduced cortisol levels, increased oxytocin, lowered blood pressure, and increased social engagement and emotional regulation. Benefits included reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and improved social functioning and quality of life. AAT offered a complementary treatment for mental health disorders, providing emotional comfort, improving mood, and serving as a nonpharmacological option for individuals. However, challenges such as individual preferences, allergies, ethical concerns for therapy animals, and logistical issues must be addressed. Future research should focus on the long-term effects and mechanisms involved to optimize the application of AAT in the clinical setting, and alternatives like robotic companion pets could also be explored.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Investigating the Efficacy of Fish-Assisted Activity on College Students’ Mental Health
Sweetzle Jay Marie Salvador, Samantha Nicole Jacalan, Jerielou Sazon, Prisca Villarosa, Wawie Ruiz, Nixon Agaser, Evelyn Acoba
Sage Open.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Well-Being and Teaching and Learning in PK-12 Education: Stakeholder Perspectives
Kathleen M. Farrand, Jae Young Jung
Journal of Research in Childhood Education.2025; : 1. CrossRef
Well-Being Indicators in Autistic Children and Therapy Dogs During a Group Intervention: A Pilot Study
Viviana Orsola Giuliano, Luigi Sacchettino, Alina Simona Rusu, Davide Ciccarelli, Valentina Gazzano, Martina de Cesare, Michele Visone, Vincenzo Mizzoni, Francesco Napolitano, Danila d’Angelo
Animals.2025; 15(14): 2032. CrossRef
NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Joanna Gadzinowska, Aleksandra Tomaszewska, Angelika Lewandowska, Gabriela Szpila, Agata Andrzejczyk, Maciej Kokoszka, Michalina Chodór, Krzysztof Feret, Małgorzata Stopyra, Natalia Nafalska
International Journal of Innovative Technologies i.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Gli Interventi Assistiti con gli Animali e salute mentale: efficacia transdiagnostica nel ciclo di vita
Caterina Ambrosi Zaiontz, Vittoria Ardino, Giovanni Bucci, Desirè Gaj
RIVISTA SPERIMENTALE DI FRENIATRIA.2025; 149(3): 75. CrossRef
From Dogs to Robots: Pet-Assisted Interventions for Depression in Older Adults—A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Mei-Ling Dai, Berne Ting, Ray Jui-Hung Tseng, Yu-Ling Huang, Chia-Ching Lin, Min-Hsiung Chen, Pan-Yen Lin, Tzu-Yu Liu
Healthcare.2025; 14(1): 38. CrossRef

Protocol

Protocol for a Scoping Review of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Governance Across Sub-Saharan Africa: Tendayi R. Chihaka, Nadine Ijaz, Ossy M.J. Kasilo, Peter B. James, Daniel F. Gallego Pérez, Jon Wardle, Razak M. Gyasi; Perspect Integr Med. 2024;3(2):123-128. Published online June 21, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.06.008

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Since 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly called on Member States to recognize the role of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) in primary healthcare, improve safety, and accessibility by governing T&CM. In the 2019 Global Report on T&CM, the WHO reported that 40 out of 47 (85%) Member States from African Region had enacted governance policies, and 20 out of 47 (43%) had regulatory policies on herbal medicines. The primary barriers to implementing T&CM policy were identified as an absence of data and inadequate financial support for research. The objective of this protocol was to detail how to perform a scoping review that will examine the policy, legislative, and regulatory landscape for T&CM practitioners and products in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods
Databases will be searched (AMED, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE Plus with Full text, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar) for relevant articles. Searches will be limited to English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish language studies in peer-reviewed journals (1963-2023) that substantively report on legislation, bills, policies, governance approaches and regulations on T&CM (including successes and/or challenges in their design and implementation). Actual legislation, policies, and regulatory documents on T&CM and peer-reviewed studies with emphasis on integrating T&CM and biomedicine into healthcare systems will be excluded.
Expected Outcomes
This protocol has formulated the objectives for a scoping review to identify, map, and synthesize evidence on the governance of T&CM in sub-Saharan Africa.

Review Article

A Modern Interpretation of Cold-Heat Pattern in Traditional Medicine with a Focus on Thermo-Regulation: Younggwang Kim, Jee Young Lee, Joongho Lee, Sanghun Lee; Perspect Integr Med. 2024;3(1):18-28. Published online February 22, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.02.003

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2 Citations

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Cold-heat patterns (C-HPs) in Traditional East Asian Medicine are essential for individually diagnosing and treating patients. However, the concept of C-HPs and their biological mechanisms (thermoregulation) remains unclear. C-HPs studies published between January 2000 and May 2023 were retrieved from 5 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, OASIS, Korean studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Service). Among the 8,373 articles screened, 132 were included in the review and categorized. Nineteen articles were clinical studies related to traditional concept of C-HP identification, 14 studies investigated diseases affecting thermosensation or thermoregulation, and 99 studies identified candidate genes as potential markers for C-HP identification. Further analysis, including gene ontology, and gene set enrichment analysis of the candidate genes, revealed 3 primary biological processes closely associated with thermoregulation-related genes, including localization, responses to stimuli, and homeostatic processes. Notably there was a significant association between the candidate genes and inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential channels (p < 0.001). A significant association between C-HPs and inflammation-related pathways across thermosensation-related and thermoregulation-related clinical and preclinical studies was observed, suggesting that the traditional concept of C-HPs should be studied further from an immunological perspective.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Genomic Data into Traditional Korean Medicine: A Comprehensive Review
SeongJoon Yoon, Sanghun Lee
Innovations in Acupuncture and Medicine.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Exploring Genetic Markers for Cold–Heat Patterns: Integrating Traditional Medicine With Modern Genomic Research
Seogyun Jeong, Sanghun Lee, Irfan Ahmad
Genetics Research .2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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