Citation

Tepfer A, Ross S, Macdonald M, Udell MAR, Ruaux C, Baltzer W. Animals (Basel) 2017; 7(5): e7050035.

Affiliation

Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. w.baltzer@massey.ac.nz.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Molecular Diversity Preservation International)

DOI

10.3390/ani7050035

PMID

28448430

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this case study was to examine the individual effects of an adapted physical activity, animal-assisted intervention (APA-AAI) with the family dog on motor skills, physical activity, and quality of life of a child with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHOD: This study used an A-B-A single-subject design. The assessment phase (phase A) occurred pre- and post-intervention. This consisted of standardized assessments of motor skills, quality of life questionnaires, physical activity (measured using the GT3X+ accelerometer) and the human-animal bond. The intervention (phase B) lasted 8 weeks and consisted of adapted physical activities performed with the family dog once a week for 60 min in a lab setting. In addition, the participant had at-home daily activities to complete with the family dog.

RESULTS: Visual analysis was used to analyze the data. Motor skill performance, physical activity, quality of life and human animal interaction gains were observed in each case.

CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results provided initial evidence that the family-dog can play a role in healthy lifestyles through APA-AAI in children with CP.

Language: en

Keywords

CPQOL-Child; adapted physical activity; animal assisted intervention; cerebral palsy; motor skills