Animal-Assisted Therapy Effectively Reduces Depression and Improves Cognition in Older Korean Adults

As Korea transitioned into a super-aged society in 2025, mental health issues like cognitive decline, depression, and dementia have become significant public health challenges. Traditional pharmacological interventions often have limitations or side effects, necessitating the exploration of complementary or alternative treatments. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention due to its potential to enhance emotional, social, and physical well-being in older populations.

This review analyzed existing research on animal-assisted therapy (AAT) programs specifically for older adults in Korea. The primary aim was to identify effective AAT interventions and evaluate their practical and policy implications within this demographic. Researchers focused on studies assessing outcomes related to depression and cognitive function, examining the various assessment tools used to measure these changes, such as the mini-mental state examination and geriatric depression scale-Korean version.

The review consistently found that canine-assisted AAT significantly reduced depression in older adults by fostering emotional bonding, promoting social interaction, and increasing physical activity. It also enhanced emotional stability, notably by increasing oxytocin levels. These beneficial effects were observed across various studies.

AAT improved various cognitive functions, including attention, memory, and language ability, even in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. These positive changes were reliably measured using established assessment tools such as the mini-mental state examination, montreal cognitive assessment, Addenbrooke's cognitive examination III, and geriatric depression scale-Korean version, indicating robust and quantifiable improvements.