Pet therapy program for antepartum high-risk pregnancies: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study evaluated the potential benefits of pet therapy on symptoms of anxiety and depression in antepartum hospitalized women with high-risk pregnancies.

Study design: Eighty-two women in a hospital-based setting completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory before and after the pet therapy visit. For both questionnaires, paired t-test was used and adjusted P-values were obtained using the Hochberg step-up Bonferroni method.

Result: The mean scores for depressive symptoms significantly improved from the pre-pet therapy (10.1 ± 6.3) compared with the post-pet therapy (6.3 ± 5.9) (P<0.0001). Likewise mean scores of the state anxiety significantly improved from the pre-pet therapy test (44.8 ± 11.7) compared with the post-pet therapy (34.5 ± 10.5) (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Pet therapy significantly reduced anxiety and depression in antepartum hospitalized women with high-risk pregnancies.