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The impact of Animal Assisted Activity (AAA)in children with oncology diseases
29
1 1 2 2 2Mugnai, Francesca ; Alexis G. Gerakis ; Caprilli, Simona ; Vagnoli, Laura ; Pecoraro, Federica ;2Messeri, Andrea
1. Associazione Antropozoa, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy; 2. Meyer University Children's Hospital, Pain management, Florence, Italy
The impact of Animal Assisted Activity (AAA)in children with oncology diseases
29
1 1 2 2 2Mugnai, Francesca ; Alexis G. Gerakis ; Caprilli, Simona ; Vagnoli, Laura ; Pecoraro, Federica ;2Messeri, Andrea
1. Associazione Antropozoa, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy; 2. Meyer University Children's Hospital, Pain management, Florence, Italy
The research aims to assess the efficiency of AAA in Oncology-haematology at the Meyer University Children Hospital, by measuring the satisfaction of children/patients, parents and health staff. The hypothesis is that AAA can change the perception of children towards the hospital context and, consequently improve their emotional condition. The sample is 17 children with an average age of 8 years old.
Methods:The research took place during 1 year. The instruments used were: a satisfaction questionnaire about AAA for children, another for parents and one for health professionals; a test to verify the emotional condition of children (S.A.M.); an optional drawing and other. For the statistical analysis the t test by Student was used, with the aim to demonstrate pre and post-test results on the same sample. Results show that 100% of children welcome the presence of dogs in the ward. The S.A.M. test highlights that there is a significant difference (p < 0,05) between the average answers of children given in presence of the dog and in its absence. 8 drawings with dogs were collected. 75% of parents replied that they are completely in favour of the initiative and 94,1% perceived positive change in the behaviour of their own child when dogs were present. 100% of health staff were in favour of AAA and recognise its usefulness for children and parents (100%), as well as for health staff themselves (100%).
Conclusion:Results confirm that interaction with dogs influences the emotional condition of children and that the level of comfort, which they experience is greater when the dog is present. This is so much the case that children/patients describe most frequently the hospital context as positive, after having played with dogs, in comparison to when they have not done so.
EEEE
The impact of Animal Assisted Activity (AAA)in children with oncology diseases
29
1 1 2 2 2Mugnai, Francesca ; Alexis G. Gerakis ; Caprilli, Simona ; Vagnoli, Laura ; Pecoraro, Federica ;2Messeri, Andrea
1. Associazione Antropozoa, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy; 2. Meyer University Children's Hospital, Pain management, Florence, Italy
The research aims to assess the efficiency of AAA in Oncology-haematology at the Meyer University Children Hospital, by measuring the satisfaction of children/patients, parents and health staff. The hypothesis is that AAA can change the perception of children towards the hospital context and, consequently improve their emotional condition. The sample is 17 children with an average age of 8 years old.
Methods:The research took place during 1 year. The instruments used were: a satisfaction questionnaire about AAA for children, another for parents and one for health professionals; a test to verify the emotional condition of children (S.A.M.); an optional drawing and other. For the statistical analysis the t test by Student was used, with the aim to demonstrate pre and post-test results on the same sample. Results show that 100% of children welcome the presence of dogs in the ward. The S.A.M. test highlights that there is a significant difference (p < 0,05) between the average answers of children given in presence of the dog and in its absence. 8 drawings with dogs were collected. 75% of parents replied that they are completely in favour of the initiative and 94,1% perceived positive change in the behaviour of their own child when dogs were present. 100% of health staff were in favour of AAA and recognise its usefulness for children and parents (100%), as well as for health staff themselves (100%).
Conclusion:Results confirm that interaction with dogs influences the emotional condition of children and that the level of comfort, which they experience is greater when the dog is present. This is so much the case that children/patients describe most frequently the hospital context as positive, after having played with dogs, in comparison to when they have not done so.
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INSTRUMENTS
! S.A.M. (Self-Assessment Manikin):”Subjective” self-evaluation aimed at evaluating the child’s emotional state at a given moment (Lang et al., 1988, 1994)! Questionnaire especially prepared with 5 questions regarding the level of appreciation of the initiative;! Drawings by children after activity with a dog on the topic “Hospitals today”;! Semantic differential;
! specially prepared self-administered questionnaire with 10 questions which are divided into two parts;! generic (appreciation of the initiative, benefits for the children, fear of dogs);! specific (possible changes in the child as regards the presence/absence of a dog; possibility of increasing or not the frequency of the meetings, comments regarding the initiative, suggestions);
! Specially prepared self-administered questionnaire with 6 questions on the level of appreciation of the initiative.
To measure the child’s psycho-physical well-being:
To detect the parent’s level of appreciation
To identify the appreciation level of the health staff
The impact of Animal Assisted Activity (AAA)in children with oncology diseases
29
1 1 2 2 2Mugnai, Francesca ; Alexis G. Gerakis ; Caprilli, Simona ; Vagnoli, Laura ; Pecoraro, Federica ;2Messeri, Andrea
1. Associazione Antropozoa, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy; 2. Meyer University Children's Hospital, Pain management, Florence, Italy
The research aims to assess the efficiency of AAA in Oncology-haematology at the Meyer University Children Hospital, by measuring the satisfaction of children/patients, parents and health staff. The hypothesis is that AAA can change the perception of children towards the hospital context and, consequently improve their emotional condition. The sample is 17 children with an average age of 8 years old.
Methods:The research took place during 1 year. The instruments used were: a satisfaction questionnaire about AAA for children, another for parents and one for health professionals; a test to verify the emotional condition of children (S.A.M.); an optional drawing and other. For the statistical analysis the t test by Student was used, with the aim to demonstrate pre and post-test results on the same sample. Results show that 100% of children welcome the presence of dogs in the ward. The S.A.M. test highlights that there is a significant difference (p < 0,05) between the average answers of children given in presence of the dog and in its absence. 8 drawings with dogs were collected. 75% of parents replied that they are completely in favour of the initiative and 94,1% perceived positive change in the behaviour of their own child when dogs were present. 100% of health staff were in favour of AAA and recognise its usefulness for children and parents (100%), as well as for health staff themselves (100%).
Conclusion:Results confirm that interaction with dogs influences the emotional condition of children and that the level of comfort, which they experience is greater when the dog is present. This is so much the case that children/patients describe most frequently the hospital context as positive, after having played with dogs, in comparison to when they have not done so.
EEEE
INSTRUMENTS
! S.A.M. (Self-Assessment Manikin):”Subjective” self-evaluation aimed at evaluating the child’s emotional state at a given moment (Lang et al., 1988, 1994)! Questionnaire especially prepared with 5 questions regarding the level of appreciation of the initiative;! Drawings by children after activity with a dog on the topic “Hospitals today”;! Semantic differential;
! specially prepared self-administered questionnaire with 10 questions which are divided into two parts;! generic (appreciation of the initiative, benefits for the children, fear of dogs);! specific (possible changes in the child as regards the presence/absence of a dog; possibility of increasing or not the frequency of the meetings, comments regarding the initiative, suggestions);
! Specially prepared self-administered questionnaire with 6 questions on the level of appreciation of the initiative.
To measure the child’s psycho-physical well-being:
To detect the parent’s level of appreciation
To identify the appreciation level of the health staff
Self Assessment Manikin
do you feel happy Do you feel strong Do you feel agitated
with dogwithout dog
Questions of the S.A.M. Test
with dog
without dog
Results of the semantic differentialWhat do you think of hospitals today?
Item 1 = nice/awfulItem 2 = safe/dangerousItem 3 = fun/boringItem 4 = friendly/unfriendlyItem 5 = good/bad
Do you have a pet? Yes (52,9%) - No (47,1%)
Are you afraid of dogs? Yes (0%) -
Are you happy when dogs
come and visit you in hospital? - No (0%)
What do you like best doing with a dog?
- Patting it (29,4%)
- Brushing it (11,8%)
- taking it for a walk on the lead
- telling it to do certain things (17,6%)
- other (11,8%)
Would you like the dogs
to come more often? - No (0%)
No (100,1%)
Yes (100%)
(41,2%)
Yes (100%)
Questionnaire for children
Changes seen by parentsin their child when a dog is present
he/she socialises more
he/she seems happier
he/she accepts more readily being in hospital
he/she seems less anxious
he/she seems more motivated
he/she seems satisfied
he/she participates more in recreational activities
he/she leaves the room more often
he/she seems to have more self-confidence
other
Association Antropozoa ONLUS - Florence - Italy - www.antropozoa.it - [email protected]
Meyer University Chidren Hospital - Florence - Italy - www-meyer.it - [email protected]
Meyer Foundation - Florence - Italy - www.meyer.it - [email protected]
Livia Benini Foundation - Florence - Italy - www.fondazione-livia-benini.org - [email protected]
