Animal-Assisted Interventions for Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) can be devastating for people who have dementia and their families. More than 5 million Americans are living with dementia, and approximately 97% of these individuals have BPSD, including agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression, apathy, sleep disturbances, wandering, and disinhibition. Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have increasingly been used to treat these symptoms in individuals with dementia and constitute an optimal nonpharmacological treatment strategy. The current review aims to explore the literature regarding AAI in treating BPSD. Of 3,573 publications reviewed, 15 articles met inclusion criteria. All studies included a type of AAI exploring BPSD within individuals with dementia. The systematic review unveils AAI may be beneficial for those with dementia; however, further research is necessary to address limitations in the existing literature. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(6), 317-324.].