Animal-Assisted Therapy Ameliorates Anhedonia in Schizophrenia Patients
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anhedonia, a component of the negative symptom dimension and a core phenomenon in schizophrenia, is associated with poor social functioning and is resistant to treatment. We tested the hypothesis that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) may improve anhedonia. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of psychosocial treatment sessions in which a dog was an active participant (AAT) with comparable sessions without a dog, using a controlled protocol. METHOD: The hedonic tone of 10 chronic schizophrenia patients who participated in 10 weekly interactive sessions of AAT was compared to a control group treated without animal assistance. The hedonic tone was measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. Subjective quality of life variables and clinical symptoms were also assessed. RESULTS: The AAT group showed a significant improvement in the hedonic tone compared to controls. They also showed an improvement in the use of leisure time and a trend towards improvement in motivation. CONCLUSION: AAT may contribute to the psychosocial rehabilitation and quality of life of chronic schizophrenia patients.
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A number of studies reported that the presence of canines had a direct impact on the primary diagnoses and clinical symptomatology of participants.
“A number of these studies reported that the presence of canines had a direct impact on the primary diagnoses and clinical symptomatology of the participants [31–36].”
From Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy (2019) · cites this paper as [35]
Adult inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia had reduced anhedonia.
“Adult inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia had reduced anhedonia [35] and other negative symptoms [36].”
From Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy (2019) · cites this paper as [35]
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References 34 · Cited by 110
- Authors
- Nathans-Barel, I., Feldman, P., Berger, B., Modai, I., & Silver, H.
- Affiliations
- Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center (IL)
- University of Haifa (IL)
- Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (IL)
- Venue
- Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2004-12-23
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 31-35
- ISSN
- 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-0348
- OpenAlex
- W2073165375
- Cited by
- 110
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 2.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- animal-assisted therapy, anhedonia, schizophrenia, negative symptoms, dogs, hedonic tone, Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, quality of life, psychosocial rehabilitation, motivation, leisure time use
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Animals, Animals, Domestic, Human-Animal Bond, Chronic Disease, Female, Humans, Leisure Activities, Male, Motivation, Personal Satisfaction, Surveys and Questionnaires, Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders
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