Effects of dog-assisted intervention on quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia

Abstract

Background: People with dementia often have a poor quality of life. Therefore, methods that can improve their life situation must be identified. One promising method is dog-assisted intervention. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dog-assisted intervention on quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia. Materials and methods: A one-group, pretest post-test study design was used. Quality of life was measured using the QUALID in 59 nursing home residents prior to and after a dog-assisted intervention. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the data, and effect sizes were calculated. Results: The participants’ total scores improved significantly between baseline and post-test 1 (p = < 0.001) and worsened significantly at post-test 2 (p = 0.025). The largest effect size was found for the item ‘Verbalization suggests discomfort’ (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that dog-assisted interventions can have positive effects on quality of life in nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia. Significance: The results contribute to a growing knowledge base about non-pharmacological methods that can be used in dementia care. Occupational therapists should consider dog-assisted interventions when planning activities that can reduce the illness burden and improve the quality of life for people with dementia.