A recent study has revealed that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is significantly more effective than pet-robot interventions (PRI) in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults. A group of researchers from Peru examined 23 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with more than 1,200 participants aged 65 and older for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The findings, published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, underscore the potential of AAT as a valuable complementary treatment for depression in the elderly while questioning the efficacy of robotic pet alternatives.
Depression is a pervasive issue among older adults, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that 5.7% of people over the age of 60 suffer from this mental health condition. The Global Burden of Disease Study has also highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a significant rise in depressive disorders globally. As older adults face unique challenges such as cognitive decline, physical health issues, and social isolation, addressing depression in this population has become increasingly critical.
Pharmacotherapy is a common component of traditional treatment plans for depression in older adults. Although it can be effective, it frequently has side effects that may be particularly harmful to this age group. Consequently, there has been growing interest in alternative and complementary therapies, such as AAT and PRI, to mitigate the psychological burden of depression in older adults.
The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the comparative effectiveness of AAT and PRI in alleviating depressive symptoms among older adults. The study included trials in which participants received either AAT or PRI, with control groups receiving usual care or other non-animal-based interventions. The research primarily focused on RCTs to ensure a robust evaluation of these therapies.
The analysis revealed that AAT had a moderate and statistically significant effect on reducing depressive symptoms in older adults. The pooled effect size indicated that AAT was particularly beneficial when the intervention involved dogs, a finding consistent with previous studies highlighting the therapeutic benefits of human-dog interactions. In contrast, PRI, which involved the use of robotic pets such as the PARO seal, did not show a significant effect on reducing depressive symptoms.
Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) emerged as the most effective form of AAT in the study. The interaction between patients and therapy dogs – through activities such as petting, playing, and walking – has been shown to improve mood, increase physical activity, and provide companionship. These interactions help reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which are common contributors to depression in older adults. The study’s sub-analysis specifically noted that DAT had a medium to large effect size in reducing depressive symptoms compared to control groups.
The findings suggest that the presence of a live animal, particularly dogs, may play a crucial role in the therapeutic process, offering emotional support and fostering a sense of purpose among participants. The physical and emotional engagement with a therapy dog can activate positive behavioural changes and improve the overall quality of life for older adults suffering from depression.
Despite the potential advantages of PRIs, such as reduced costs and the elimination of risks associated with live animals (e.g., allergies, fear of animals), the study found no significant benefit in using robotic pets to treat depression. While PRIs may offer some level of companionship and engage users in social interaction, they appear to lack the deeper emotional connection that live animals can provide.
Previous studies on PRIs have shown mixed results, with some indicating improvements in mood and social behaviour among dementia patients, but others, like the current study, questioning their effectiveness in treating depression. The lack of a significant effect observed in the meta-analysis suggests that PRIs may not be a suitable replacement for AAT in addressing depressive symptoms in older adults.
