The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of animal-assisted interventions on social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder, based on evidence from randomized control trials. Included studies were articles published in English, with school aged children from 4 to 18 years with autism spectrum disorder. Databases searched were MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL and Zoological Record. Data extraction from included studies included demographics and sample features, interventions and controls descriptions, outcome measures, study funding and descriptive statistics. Risk of bias was assessed, considering randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, attrition, selective reporting and other sources of bias. Studies were synthesized narratively based on the animal approach taken and the use of waitlist versus active controls. Nine studies were included reporting across eight trials. Studies overall reported improvements in social functioning following equine-assisted services, with preliminary evidence suggesting improvements are sustained in the short and medium term. Insufficient evidence was available to draw conclusions on the efficacy of other animal-assisted interventions. Future research should aim to address the limitations common to included designs. Lay abstract Children with autism typically experience difficulties interacting socially with others when compared to their non-autistic peers. Establishing how effective interventions are for improving social functioning is important to help inform what should be offered to children with autism. This study reviewed how effective interventions that involved interaction with a live animal, known as animal-assisted interventions, are in improving social functioning in children with autism. A systematic search of the evidence on this topic found nine studies, which were explored for the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions and the quality of methods used. Overall, these studies showed improvements in social functioning following equine-assisted or therapeutic horse-riding interventions, with initial evidence showing improvements are sustained in the short and medium term. However, several issues were identified, which limit the strength of any conclusions that can be drawn from this evidence. For example, in many studies people assessing the children were aware that they received the intervention or were in a control group. There was also not enough evidence available to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of other animal-assisted interventions. Future research should address the limitations that were common in the designs of these studies and investigate the potential benefit of other animal populations, such as dogs and cats.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/13623613221085338

Calm with horses? A systematic review of animal-assisted interventions for improving social functioning in children with autism

Canine-Assisted Therapy in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review

Universities worldwide had to close their doors due to the Covid-19 health emergency, and from face-to-face classes go to the virtual modality, being the theoretical/practical nursing career to carry out the virtual simulation, through their homes. The objective of the research was to describe the satisfaction of virtual simulation learning and academic performance, in the context of Covid-19, in nursing students at a Public University-2021. The survey was applied to 186 students of the Faculty of Nursing, of the semesters: III, IV, VII and VIII of the Public University of Ica-Peru. It was a mixed approach study, applying a 15-question Likert scale questionnaire, presenting the physical format. It is concluded that young students are satisfied with virtual simulation learning and it is not related to the grades obtained by a group in their academic performance.

Satisfaction with virtual simulation learning and academic performance in the context of COVID-19 in nursing students at a public university - Peru

ABSTRACT Objective This systematic review examined the impacts of therapy dogs on the social and emotional wellbeing of K-12 students. Procedure Five electronic databases (PsycINFO, Informit A+ Education, PubMed, Web of Science and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global) were searched to find English language, grey literature and peer-reviewed articles up to November 2020. Results A narrative synthesis of 23 articles indicated that therapy dogs may enhance students’ mood and positive emotionality, social and communication skills, confidence and their relationship with teachers. Inconsistently, other studies reported that therapy dogs may not enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of students. Conclusion The current research is characterised by methodological limitations and an over-reliance on the perceptions of students and teachers. To enhance the quality and reliability of the evidence, future researchers are encouraged to adopt more rigorous methodologies with larger sample sizes and control procedures. It is also recommended that the perceptions of school leaders, other educational personnel and interdisciplinary health professionals are incorporated into future studies. This may contribute to a greater level of consensus in the educational sector about the impacts of therapy dogs on the social and emotional wellbeing of K-12 students.

The impact of therapy dogs on the social and emotional wellbeing of students: a systematic review

A holistic intervention is needed for individuals who suffer from autism spectrum disorders. Our objective was to work with these individuals in a multidisciplinary manner through the use of animal-assisted therapy, finding improvements in the experimental group as compared with the control group in the different evaluated areas.

Implementation of Assisted Therapy With Dogs in the Therapeutic Approach to People With Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

The increase in gender-based violence in light of the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health problem that needs to be addressed. Our study aimed to describe the satisfaction with a training program in gender violence victim’s attention through simulated nursing video consultations, analyze the beliefs on gender violence in Mexican undergraduate nursing students, and understand the skills that need to be improved. A descriptive cross-sectional study using a mixed-method was carried out with 27 students using a validated satisfaction questionnaire (quantitative data) and conducting scripted interviews (qualitative data) analyzed through the interpretive paradigm. All nursing students expressed a high overall satisfaction with simulated nursing video consultations and positive perceptions about this training program. From the students’ perceptions, three first-level categories and their related second-level and specific categories emerged: belief and myths, skills to improve, and learning improvements. A training program in gender violence victim’s attention through simulated nursing video consultations, in the middle of a pandemic, was a satisfactory experience for nursing students and beneficial for them, as they gained new knowledge and socioemotional skills. This training program mainly improved the acquisition of communication and emotional management skills for an adequate gender violence victim’s attention.

Satisfaction and beliefs on gender-based violence: a training program of mexican nursing students based on simulated video consultations during the covid-19 pandemic

Magdalena Gómez-Díaz

Papers

Implementation of Assisted Therapy With Dogs in the Therapeutic Approach to People With Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Satisfaction and beliefs on gender-based violence: a training program of mexican nursing students based on simulated video consultations during the covid-19 pandemic