[Animal-assisted interventions in acute inpatient geriatrics].

BACKGROUND: In the future an increasing number of patients in acute inpatient geriatric settings can be expected and their care needs new concepts. Animal-assisted interventions with dogs may represent a potential strategy to consider since animals can have a positive effect on patients' physical, psychological and social capabilities.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of clinical and patient-specific outcome parameters by animal-assisted interventions for residents in long-term settings and discussion of the transferability of identified evidence to acute geriatric inpatient settings.

METHODS: A literature review of animal-assisted interventions with dogs for long-term residents was conducted using the electronic databases Livivo, PubMed, CINAHL® and Cochrane as well as manual searching of references. Qualitative and quantitative studies from the last 16 years were included.

RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included. Of these studies 10 presented significant results and reported positive effects of animal-assisted interventions for geriatric patients based on clinical, behavioral, cognition, emotional and socializing factors, quality of life and motor skills.

CONCLUSION: Animal-assisted interventions may represent a promising intervention for patients in acute geriatric settings. In the future, research on the use of animal-assisted interventions in acute geriatric settings is needed.