Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. Suppl. 9 (2004) 407–412 0167-4943/$ – see front matter # 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved PET-THERAPY: A TRIAL FOR INSTITUTIONALIZED FRAIL ELDERLY PATIENTS M.F. STASI a* , D. AMATI a , C. COSTA b , D. RESTA b , G. SENEPA b , C. SCARAFIOITl b , N. AIMONINO a and M. MOLASCHl a a Department of Medical and Surgical Disciplines, Geriatric Section, University of Torino. S. Giovanni Battista Hospital, Corso Bramante, 88, I-10126 Torino; b Department of Medical and Surgical Disciplines, Geriatric Section, University of Torino. IRV, lstituto di Riposo per la Vecchiaia, Via S. Marino, 10, I-10126 Torino, Italy *Corresponding author: Phone: +(39-011)-663-7140; Fax: +(39-011)-696-1045; E-mail: MARIO.MOLASCHI@UNITO.IT SUMMARY Twenty-eight subjects with chronic age-related disabilities living in the nursing home “lstituto di Riposo per la Vecchiaia” in Torino were assigned to a pet-therapy intervention group, consisting of 3/week sessions of almost one-hour visit for 6 weeks with a little cat, of to a control group undergoing usual activity programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of pet-therapy on nursing home inpatients. There were no differences in demographic or clinical characteristics and in mean duration of institutionalization between the two groups. Results showed that patients with animal interaction had improved depressive symptoms and a significant decrease in blood pressure values. The pet-therapy programs are desirable components of the multidisciplinary treatment for frail elderly patients in long-term care. Keywords: pet-therapy, institutionalized frail elderly, blood pressure INTRODUCTION The therapeutic bond between humans and companion animals has been known for years; however, the use of pets as therapeutic agents to enhance psychosocial wellbeing is relatively recent (Serpell, 1991). An intervention, which has recently gained popularity, is the pet-therapy. Striking anecdotal evidence and clinical experience in pet-facilitated therapy have demonstrated that animal companions can have significant positive impacts on the lives of elderly persons, both those living in the community and in institutions. Animals seem to improve social interactions and promote social happiness and harmony for the general population but particularly in elderly persons (Brickel, 1980-81). Animals can improve levels of relaxation amongst their human companions. Research reports have shown that pet ownership reduces blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease (Friedmann et al., 1980; Friedman and Thomas. 1995; Allen et al., 2001,