Effects of animal-assisted psychotherapy incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in neurorehabilitation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial.
Pascale Künzi, Michael Ackert, Martin Grosse Holtforth, Margret Hund-Georgiadis, Karin Hediger
Scientific Reports June 28, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14584-1 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | Patients with acquired brain injury |
| Interventions | Mindfulness- and self-compassion-based group intervention (MSCBI) animal-assisted MSCBI |
| Duration | 6-week intervention, with post-treatment and follow-up assessments |
| Topics | Meditation Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Animals Humans Brain injuries Feasibility studies Neurological rehabilitation Self-compassion |
| Key findings | Both the animal-assisted and standard MSCBI groups showed significant reductions in psychological distress from pre-treatment to follow-up, with no significant difference between groups. The animal-assisted group reported significantly greater within-session increases in feeling secure, accepted, comforted, grateful, motivated, and at ease, and had significantly higher session adherence; attrition did not differ significantly. The authors suggest animal assistance may increase acceptability and commitment to psychotherapy. |
Abstract
Transdiagnostic psychotherapeutic approaches are increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to address psychological distress. Animal-assistance is thought to increase efficacy. The present study evaluates a psychotherapeutic mindfulness- and self-compassion-based group intervention (MSCBI) with and without animal-assistance for patients with acquired brain injury. Patients (N = 31) were randomly assigned to the 6-week intervention with (n = 14) or without animal-assistance (n = 17). Primary outcome was psychological distress at post- and follow-up treatment, secondary outcomes were changes within-session of patients' emotional states, adherence to treatment and attrition. Psychological distress significantly decreased in both groups from pre- to follow-up treatment with no difference between groups. Patients in the animal-assisted MSCBI group reported significantly higher increases in feeling secure, accepted, comforted, grateful, motivated and at ease during the sessions compared to patients in the MSCBI group without animal-assistance. Adherence to sessions was significantly higher in the animal-assisted MSCBI group. Attrition did not significantly differ between groups. Our results show that both MSCBIs with and without animal-assistance are feasible and effective in reducing psychological distress in patients with acquired brain injury. The significant changes within-sessions mainly in relationship-based emotional states and the higher treatment adherence suggest additional effects of animal-assistance. Animal-assistance might increase acceptability and patients' commitment to psychotherapy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 8
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- Therapeutic Effects of Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being November 2, 2020
- An Internet-Based Compassion-Focused Intervention for Increased Self-Criticism: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy March 2019
and 3 more in the library