Animal-assisted therapy with farm animals for persons with psychiatric disorders: effects on self-efficacy, coping ability and quality of life, a randomized controlled trial

TLDR

Animal‑assisted therapy has proven benefits with cats and dogs, yet controlled studies using farm animals for psychiatric patients are lacking; this study builds on the Green care concept of using farm animals in therapeutic interventions. The study aimed to assess the impact of a 12‑week farm‑animal intervention on self‑efficacy, coping ability, and quality of life in adult psychiatric patients. A randomized controlled trial with 90 psychiatric patients (59 women, 31 men) measured self‑efficacy, coping, and quality of life before, after a 12‑week farm‑animal program, and at six‑month follow‑up, with 60 participants receiving the intervention and 30 controls. Results showed significant gains in self‑efficacy and coping ability at six‑month follow‑up for the intervention group, with no changes in quality of life or during the intervention period, indicating that farm‑animal AAT may improve self‑efficacy and coping in psychiatric patients.

Abstract

The benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) for humans with mental disorders have been well-documented using cats and dogs, but there is a complete lack of controlled studies using farm animals as therapeutic agents for psychiatric patients. The study was developed in the context of Green care, a concept that involves the use of farm animals, plants, gardens, or the landscape in recreational or work-related interventions for different target groups of clients in cooperation with health authorities. The present study aimed at examining effects of a 12-week intervention with farm animals on self-efficacy, coping ability and quality of life among adult psychiatric patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses.The study was a randomized controlled trial and follow-up. Ninety patients (59 women and 31 men) with schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety, and personality disorders completed questionnaires to assess self-efficacy (Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale; GSE), coping ability (Coping Strategies Scale), and quality of life (Quality of Life Scale; QOLS-N) before, at the end of intervention, and at six months follow-up. Two-thirds of the patients (N = 60) were given interventions; the remaining served as controls.There was significant increase in self-efficacy in the treatment group but not in the control group from before intervention (SB) to six months follow-up (SSMA), (SSMA-SB; F1,55 = 4.20, p= 0.05) and from end of intervention (SA) to follow-up (SSMA-SA; F1,55 = 5.6, p= 0.02). There was significant increase in coping ability within the treatment group between before intervention and follow-up (SSMA-SB = 2.7, t = 2.31, p = 0.03), whereas no changes in quality of life was found. There were no significant changes in any of the variables during the intervention.AAT with farm animals may have positive influences on self-efficacy and coping ability among psychiatric patients with long lasting psychiatric symptoms.