Table 2 Studies reported in the qualitative synthesis, highlighted in bold the main outcomes reported in the results
Author (Year) [ref.] | Setting | Study design | Timing | Animal experimented (patient number) | Control (patient number) | Outcome(s) | Results for the primary outcome | Interpretation of the finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miller (2003) [7] | Open-heart surgery | QES | Hospital discharge | Dog (17) | Usual care (13) | Discharge teaching | 11/17 dog 10/13 usual care | Not beneficial |
Cole (2007) [8] | Advanced heart failure | RCT | Hospital stay | Dog (26) | Volunteer (25); usual care (25) | PCWP; Systolic PAP; PCWP; EPI & NE levels; anxietya | Adjusted mean difference (SD), P dog vs volunteer − 3.70 (1.06) .001 | Beneficial |
Calcaterra (2015) [9] | Pediatric surgery | RCT | Immediate post-surgery | Dog (20) | Usual care (20) | EEG beta-activity; DBP; HR; SpO2; HbO2; Pain | 20/20 dog 0/20 usual care | Beneficial |
Walden (2020) [10] | Pediatric heart transplant | Pre-postQES | Hospital stay | Dog (5) | Dog (5) | Time (mins), Distance (ft) walked | 14.7 (9.6) no-dog 17.2 (10.3) dog | Beneficial |
Branson (2020) [11] | ICU older patients (> 60 y/o) | RCT | Hospital stay | Dog (6) | Usual care (4) | Stress VAS; FAS; Salivary CRP, IL-1B, cortisol | Pre Med. Dog 3.5 Post Med. Dog 1 Pre Med. usual 5.5 Post Med. usual 5.5 | Beneficial |
Jennings (2021) [12] | PICU, CVICU hematology/oncology | RCT | Hospital stay | Dog (44) | Usual care (36) | Activity level; Mood; Salivary cortisol | Mean (SD) 5.2275 (13.205) dog 3.889 (11.282) usual care | Beneficial |