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A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults

Publication ,  Journal Article
Grubbs, B; Artese, A; Schmitt, K; Cormier, E; Panton, L
Published in: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
April 2016

This pilot study assessed the feasibility of incorporating animal-assisted therapy teams (ATT) into a 6-week group exercise program for older adults (77 ± 6 years). Fifteen participants were randomly assigned to an exercise with ATT (E+ATT; = 8) or exercise only (E; = 7) group. Groups exercised 3x/week for 45 min. Feasibility was assessed by three objectives: (1) ATT will not need extensive preparation beyond their original therapy training; (2) the study will require minimal cost; and (3) ATT must not impair the effectiveness of the exercise program. By the study conclusion, all objectives were met. Time and cost were minimal for ATT, and adherence was 93% and 90% for E+ATT and E, respectively. There were significant improvements in both groups ( ≤ .05) for arm curls, get-up and go, and 6-min walk. The results of this pilot study suggest that it is feasible to incorporate ATT into group exercise programming for older adults.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

DOI

EISSN

1543-267X

ISSN

1063-8652

Publication Date

April 2016

Volume

24

Issue

2

Start / End Page

322 / 331

Publisher

Human Kinetics

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Grubbs, B., Artese, A., Schmitt, K., Cormier, E., & Panton, L. (2016). A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 24(2), 322–331. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2015-0107
Grubbs, Brandon, Ashley Artese, Karla Schmitt, Eileen Cormier, and Lynn Panton. “A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults.” Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 24, no. 2 (April 2016): 322–31. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2015-0107.
Grubbs B, Artese A, Schmitt K, Cormier E, Panton L. A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2016 Apr;24(2):322–31.
Grubbs, Brandon, et al. “A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults.” Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, vol. 24, no. 2, Human Kinetics, Apr. 2016, pp. 322–31. Crossref, doi:10.1123/japa.2015-0107.
Grubbs B, Artese A, Schmitt K, Cormier E, Panton L. A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Human Kinetics; 2016 Apr;24(2):322–331.

Published In

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

DOI

EISSN

1543-267X

ISSN

1063-8652

Publication Date

April 2016

Volume

24

Issue

2

Start / End Page

322 / 331

Publisher

Human Kinetics

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences