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Home / Equine Research Bank / Appl Dev Sci / Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at risk for Ment...
Applied developmental science2016; 21(1); 1-13; doi: 10.1080/10888691.2015.1134267

Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: To systematically review experimental evidence about animal-assisted therapies (AAT) for children or adolescents with or at risk for mental health conditions, we reviewed all experimental AAT studies published between 2000-2015, and compared studies by animal type, intervention, and outcomes. Methods: Studies were included if used therapeutically for children and adolescents (≤21 years) with or at risk for a mental health problem; used random assignment or a waitlist comparison/control group; and included child-specific outcome data. Of 1,535 studies, 24 met inclusion criteria. Results: Of 24 studies identified, almost half were randomized controlled trials, with 9 of 11 published in the past two years. The largest group addresses equine therapies for autism. Conclusions: Findings are generally promising for positive effects associated with equine therapies for autism and canine therapies for childhood trauma. The AAT research base is slim; a more focused research agenda is outlined.
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Publication Date: 2016-01-25 PubMed ID: 28798541PubMed Central: PMC5546745DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2015.1134267Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article systematically evaluates the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapies (AAT) as a treatment option for children or adolescents who are suffering from, or are at risk of, mental health conditions. The study compares different AAT practices based on the type of animal involved, the specific interventions used, and the outcomes of the therapy.

Methodology

  • The researchers selected studies that met specific criteria – these are experimental studies that utilized animal therapy as a form of treatment for children and adolescents (aged 21 or below) who are experiencing or are at risk of developing mental health disorders.
  • The chosen studies for review either employed random assignment or had a waitlist comparison/control group, and contained data that directly pertained to children.
  • From a total of 1,535 studies, only 24 met the researchers’ criteria and were included in the final review.

Results and Findings

  • The researchers found that nearly half of the chosen studies were Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), a type of study where participants are randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group.
  • The majority of these RCTs were carried out in the two years leading up to this review.
  • The largest number of studies focused on equine (horse) therapy as a treatment method for children with autism.
  • In total, there were positive results associated with the use of equine therapy for autism and canine therapy for contextual childhood trauma.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study concludes that the current research base for AAT is quite thin, suggesting more rigorous and focused research is needed.
  • Though the initial findings are promising particularly for equine therapy in cases of autism and canine therapy for childhood trauma, more comprehensive research is vital to accurately measure the impact and effectiveness of AAT in treating a wider range of mental health issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoagwood KE, Acri M, Morrissey M, Peth-Pierce R. (2016). Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review. Appl Dev Sci, 21(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2015.1134267

Publication

Applied developmental science
ISSN: 1088-8691
NlmUniqueID: 9890994
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-13

Researcher Affiliations

Hoagwood, Kimberly Eaton
  • New York University, Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine. One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Acri, Mary
  • New York University, Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine. One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Morrissey, Meghan
  • New York University, Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine. One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Peth-Pierce, Robin
  • Public Health Communications Consulting, LLC, 900 Mission Hills Lane, Columbus, OH 43235.

Grant Funding

  • P30 MH090322 / NIMH NIH HHS

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Citations

This article has been cited 27 times.
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