PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
There has been growing interest in the potential benefits of using human-animal interactions to improve executive functions: cognitive processes that allow individuals to plan, solve problems, and self-regulate behaviour. To date, no comprehensive review has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate existing literature, adopting broad inclusion criteria. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 16 papers were identified from peer-reviewed literature. Additional papers were identified from grey literature, including 6 dissertations and 1 thesis. A review of these 23 studies found that human-animal interactions and executive functions are investigated in three main ways: (1) exploring the potential benefits of the human-pet relationship, (2) exploring the impact of an animal\'s presence during administration of executive function tests, and (3) evaluating the efficacy of animal-assisted services (e.g., animal-assisted therapy) on executive functions. Five of the included studies reported a significant improvement across all measured domains of executive functions, but effect sizes were underreported. Comparatively, 9 studies reported mixed findings, d = 0.32-0.55, while 8 studies reported no significant results. The overall rigour of the research was limited, with great heterogeneity between the study methodologies and outcome measures used. It is recommended that future studies utilise high-quality research methodologies through the use of randomisation, pre- and postmeasures, and appropriate control conditions, where possible.
摘要：
人们对使用人与动物互动来改善执行功能的潜在好处越来越感兴趣：允许个人计划的认知过程，解决问题,和自我调节行为。迄今为止,没有进行全面审查。本研究的目的是评估现有文献，采用广泛的纳入标准。遵循系统审查和荟萃分析(PRISMA)指南的首选报告项目，从同行评审的文献中确定了16篇论文。从灰色文献中发现了其他论文，包括6篇论文和1篇论文。对这23项研究的回顾发现，人与动物的互动和执行功能主要有三种方式：（1）探索人与宠物关系的潜在好处，(2)探索动物在执行功能测试期间的存在的影响，和(3)评估动物辅助服务的有效性(例如，动物辅助治疗)对执行功能的影响。纳入的研究中有五项报告说，在执行功能的所有测量领域都有了显着改善，但效应大小被低估了。相对而言,9项研究报告了不同的发现，d=0.32-0.55，而8项研究报告无显著结果。研究的总体严谨性是有限的，研究方法和使用的结果衡量标准之间存在很大的异质性。建议未来的研究通过使用随机化来利用高质量的研究方法，前后措施，和适当的控制条件，在可能的地方。
