Oral Presentations
Location
Schewel 215
Access Type
Open Access
Entry Number
54
Start Date
4-6-2022 2:45 PM
End Date
4-6-2022 3:00 PM
Department
Nursing
Abstract
This paper will explore animal-assisted therapy used in intensive care units. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk for developing an array of complications called post-intensive care syndrome, which can negatively affect patients’ psychological, motor, and cognitive abilities. While the widespread use of animal-assisted therapy in the ICU is still in need of improvement, studies have shown animal-assisted therapy can improve depression and anxiety, increase motor function, and strengthen patient participation in treatment. This is significant because the benefits of animal-assisted therapy can counteract the symptoms related to post-intensive care syndrome. The studies will be analyzed, and recommendations will be offered as to how animal-assisted therapy can prevent or decrease the symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome based on results of decreasing patient stress and pain perception, improving motor function, enhancing communication, and encouraging participation in treatment. This literature review will connect animal-assisted therapy with post-intensive care syndrome in order to contribute to making the healthcare environment more holistic and patient-centered. Certification and prevention guidelines will also be discussed to dispel fears that animal-assisted therapy causes injury and infections. With the use of animal-assisted therapy in the ICU, nurses can help to prevent post-intensive care syndrome and improve the quality of patients’ lives.
Keywords: ICU or intensive care unit, animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted intervention or pet therapy, post-intensive care syndrome or PICS, and critical care or critical care unit
Faculty Mentor(s)
Prof. Amanda PribbleDr. Lisa JamersonDr. Laura Kicklighter
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Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit
Schewel 215
This paper will explore animal-assisted therapy used in intensive care units. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk for developing an array of complications called post-intensive care syndrome, which can negatively affect patients’ psychological, motor, and cognitive abilities. While the widespread use of animal-assisted therapy in the ICU is still in need of improvement, studies have shown animal-assisted therapy can improve depression and anxiety, increase motor function, and strengthen patient participation in treatment. This is significant because the benefits of animal-assisted therapy can counteract the symptoms related to post-intensive care syndrome. The studies will be analyzed, and recommendations will be offered as to how animal-assisted therapy can prevent or decrease the symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome based on results of decreasing patient stress and pain perception, improving motor function, enhancing communication, and encouraging participation in treatment. This literature review will connect animal-assisted therapy with post-intensive care syndrome in order to contribute to making the healthcare environment more holistic and patient-centered. Certification and prevention guidelines will also be discussed to dispel fears that animal-assisted therapy causes injury and infections. With the use of animal-assisted therapy in the ICU, nurses can help to prevent post-intensive care syndrome and improve the quality of patients’ lives.
Keywords: ICU or intensive care unit, animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted intervention or pet therapy, post-intensive care syndrome or PICS, and critical care or critical care unit