Megan E Narad, Kaelynn Knestrick, Shari L Wade, Brad G Kurowski, Allen R McConnell, Catherine C Quatman-Yates
INTRODUCTION: Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) are at risk for poor therapeutic engagement due to cognitive impairment, affect lability, pain, and fatigue. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has the potential to improve patient engagement in rehabilitation therapies; however, the feasibility of integrating AAT into the rigorous therapy schedule of inpatient clinical care or its reception by patients, families, and staff is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating dogs into physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions with pediatric patients being treated on an inpatient rehabilitation unit for acquired brain injury...
April 18, 2024: PM & R: the Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation