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
Integrated Canine-Assisted Services and Art Therapy in Prison: Pilot Study of Animal Well-Being Aspects and Its Impact on Inmate Critical Events
Susanne Garzillo, Luigi Sacchettino, Luca Esposito, Viviana Orsola Giuliano, Vincenza Panico, Alina Simona Rusu, Rosaria Ponticiello, Alice Nese, Natascia Rizzo, Giuseppe Nese, Francesco Napolitano, Danila d’Angelo
Animals.2026; 16(6): 897. CrossRef
An overview of the benefits of animal-assisted interventions in medical and therapeutic contexts for human health: cognitive mechanisms, sensory perception and welfare considerations
Daniel Mota-Rojas, Eleonora Nannoni, Ana C. Strappini, Ismael Hernández-Avalos, Julio Martínez-Burnes, Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Patricia Mora-Medina, Ayman H. Abd El-Aziz, Adriana Olmos-Hernández, Agatha Miranda-Cortes, Alejandro Casas-Alvarado, Fabiola T
Frontiers in Veterinary Science.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Canine-Assisted Intervention in the Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Setting: Staff’s Perception of the Benefits of Pet Therapy
Michelle Geiss, Lorna Scoggins, Shelby Whaley, Tamsyn Weaver, Renae Hale, Albert Botchway
American Journal of Psychotherapy.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Canine-Assisted Services as a Complementary Modality in Wellness-Based Counseling Practice
Mary Renck Jalongo, Lorraine J. Guth
Journal of Mental Health Counseling.2026; 48(2): 115. CrossRef
Structured puppy video viewing improves physiological and psychological stress responses in office workers
Sang Gi Kwak, Yoon Joo Shin, Won Guk Kang, Min Young Kim, Jun Hyung Lee, Chul Park, Young Hwan Song
Frontiers in Public Health.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Animal-Assisted Interventions Involving Live and Robotic Animals for Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiaxin Lv, Zhong Li, Rixin Qin, Beibei Miao, Ling Gong, Changping Song, Yali Sun, Wei Liu, Li Chen
Journal of the American Medical Directors Associat.2026; 27(10): 106367. 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

Editorial

A Pilot Trial of Integrative Medicine for Stroke Rehabilitation: Expert Recommendations for the Development and Sustainability of Integrative Medicine: Chihyoung Son, Go-Eun Lee, Joo-Hee Seo, Inae Youn, Jin-Won Kim; Perspect Integr Med. 2024;3(1):1-6. Published online February 22, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.02.001

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

Background
Strategies towards development and sustainability of integrative treatment in stroke rehabilitation medicine are needed. National expert recommendations based on the implementation of Integrative Medicine (IM) in stroke rehabilitation and IM outcomes would be invaluable.
Methods
A pilot study was performed and the effectiveness of combining Korean traditional medicine and Western conventional medicine in post-stroke patients (ischemic stroke n = 15 and hemorrhagic stroke n = 4) was evaluated, and recommendations were developed through consensus with physicians in national centers of rehabilitative medicine. Outcome measures [Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Korean Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) assessment were used at baseline, 4, 8 (K-MBI, K-MMSE, mRS, and EQ-5D-5L) and 12 weeks post treatment (EQ-5D-5L and mRS).
Results
Improvements were observed in functional and cognitive abilities at 8 weeks (K-MBI score p = 0.0062; K-MMSE score p = 0.046). Quality of life improvements (EQ-5D-5L) were observed but were not statistically significant. The disability assessment (mRS) indicated a gradual improvement from baseline to 12 weeks. No adverse events were reported. For effective, patient-centered IM treatment: (1) build a strong evidence base for IM as compared with Western medicine alone or traditional medicine alone; (2) active expert collaboration; (3) IM promotion in public medical institutions; and (4) continued government support.
Conclusion
Functional and cognitive abilities of stroke patients statistically significantly improved following 8 weeks of IM treatment. Strategies have been suggested towards the development and sustainability of IM treatment in stroke rehabilitation medicine.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Patient Satisfaction with Advanced Medical Technology-Based Treatments in Integrative Medicine: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach Among Patients with Chronic Diseases
Prajisteanu Constantin-Bogdan, Anamaria-Cătălina Radu, Georgeta Ionescu, Daniel Diaconescu, George Mihail Man
Healthcare.2026; 14(11): 1485. CrossRef

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