Companion Dog Foster Caregiver Program for Older Veterans at the VA Maryland Health Care System
A Feasibility Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15499031 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Heidi K Ortmeyer (0000-0002-9376-7029, University of Maryland, Baltimore, corresponding author), Lynda Robey (University of Maryland, Baltimore), Lynda C Robey (University of Maryland School of Medicine) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 21 |
| Pages | 4285-4285 |
| Publication date | 2019-11-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph16214285 |
| PMID | 31690056 |
| OpenAlex | W2985230957 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 31 |
Veterans experience mental health conditions at a disproportionate rate compared to their civilian counterparts, and approximately 60% of older veterans who receive their care through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do not meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. We tested the Veterans as Foster Ambassadors program at the VA Maryland Health Care System to examine whether fostering a companion dog would improve PA and function, heart rate variability (HRV), balance, and quality of life (QOL) in older veterans. Participants wore an accelerometer for ≥10 days during each phase (30 day baseline vs. 60 day foster period) to measure daily PA ( n = 4). Six-minute walk (6MW) and balance testing ( n = 4) and 24 h heart rate (HR) and HRV ( n = 2) were determined at baseline and during the foster period. Compared to baseline, there were significant increases in (a) distance during the 6MW, (b) daily steps, and (c) time spent in moderate activity during the foster period. 24 h HR decreased and time- and frequency-domain measures of HRV significantly increased in a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder during the foster period compared to baseline. All veterans offered positive feedback about the program and indicated that it was beneficial to them. The results from this pilot study provide evidence that fostering a companion dog can improve PA, health, and QOL in older veterans. Future research conducted with a larger sample size to validate the results is warranted
Balance (ability · Baseline (sea · Mental health · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Quality of life (healthcare · Veterans Affairs · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Medicine · Nursing · Gerontology
Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. accelerometer
Heart Rate Variability and Cardiac Vagal Tone in Psychophysiological Research – Recommendations for Experiment Planning, Data Analysis, and Data Reporting
Stress and Heart Rate Variability
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) as a screening instrument for depression among community-residing older adults.
An Overview of Heart Rate Variability Metrics and Norms
Kubios HRV – Heart rate variability analysis software
The MOS 36-ltem Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)
Heart Rate Variability Characteristics in a Large Group of Active-Duty Marines and Relationship to Posttraumatic Stress
Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect
The influence of dog ownership on objective measures of free-living physical activity and sedentary behaviour in community-dwelling older adults
Potential Benefits of Canine Companionship for Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A Global Measure of Perceived Stress
Measuring Quality of Life in Owners of Companion Dogs
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.33 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2026 (7) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |