AAI in Elderly Patient With Chronic Pain

Animal-assisted Intervention in Geriatric Patients With Chronic Joint Pain and Polypharmacy

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there is a progressive aging of population. Chronic osteoarticular pain is associated to a bigger consumption of medication and a deterioration of life quality in elderly people that could be improved by boosting education for health from Primary Health Care. JUSTIFICATION: The need to develop non pharmacological treatments in order to get better results in people's global care. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectivity of group intervention, based on Animal Assisted Therapy, on elderly people suffering from chronic osteoarticular pain and poli-medication; regarding decrease of chronic pain, use of analgesics and improvement of life quality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomized clinical trial, two arms, controlled and open-label. Twelve group sessions of kinesiotherapy with the intervention of a therapy dog in the experimental group (EG), carried out in the Primary Health Centre.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥65 years
• diagnosis of chronic benign joint pain
• polypharmacy (>5 drugs or active ingredients, of which 2 or more had been prescribed for pain)

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe cognitive deterioration (GDS> 5)
• allergy to or fear of animals