Animal-assisted interventions for improving the quality of life of adult oncology patients

Abstract

Overview of the Topic: Over 18 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every year (World Health Organisation, 2018). Dealing with the diagnosis, as well as the harsh side effects of invasive and intensive cancer treatments, can be extremely lifechanging and have drastic negative impacts on the quality of life of both the patients and those around them. To facilitate patients and their families in dealing with the prognosis of cancer, a form of Complementary and Alternative Med icine/Methods (CAM) should be included in their treatment plan. This dissertation aims at studying the effectiveness of AAIs as a form of complementary therapy with the purpose of improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Research Question and PICO Elements: ‘In adult oncology patients undergoing treatment, do an imal-assisted interventions, when compared to no animal-assisted interventions, improve their quality of life?’ Patients were both males and females over the age of 18 years undergoing cancer treatment (P). Animal-assisted interventions (I) when compared to no animal-assisted interventions (C). Im proved quality of life (O). Methods: The 5 chosen articles were retrieved from 4 different databases. Keywords/MeSH terms, synonyms, Boolean operators, and other limiters aided the search process. The selective process also included eligibility criteria where studies had to be in English, study designs based on the hierarchy of evidence, published over 15 years ago due to the limited literature in this field, including all the PICO elements and in full text. The 5 chosen articles – 2 systematic reviews, 2 cohort studies and a case-control study – were critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools, accordingly. The search process was portrayed in the PRISMA flow diagram. Outcomes and Conclusions: The findings of this appraisal were consistent throughout all the stud ies; AAIs are to some extent beneficial and effective at promoting a healing environment and at im proving patients’ quality of life, but further good quality studies need to be produced. Implications and Recommendations: Future studies should focus on standardising definitions, methodologies, and data collection; animal welfare; adopting a multidisciplinary approach and broad ening sample sizes. Locally, more awareness should be raised through education, and clinical trials should be carried out to study the benefits of using AAIs.