Manuela Vignolo, Riccardo Zuccarino, Romina Truffelli, Chiara Gemelli, Elisa Giove, Pilar M Ferraro, Davide Manunza, Clotilde Trinchero, Iacopo Cipollina, Mirela Lungu, Andrea Lizio, Gaia Gragnano, Corrado Cabona, Matteo Pardini, Claudia Caponnetto, Fabrizio Rao
BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an intervention in which the animal acts as a co-therapist. It has been mainly used in the context of patients with dementia, showing positive effects on psychological symptoms, but its potential as a physiotherapy treatment for patients with neuromuscular disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in particular, has not yet been investigated. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of AAT, specifically of dog-assisted therapy, on motor functions and psychological status in patients with ALS...
May 14, 2024: European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine