Table_4_Network meta-analysis of comparative efficacy of animal-assisted therapy vs. pet-robot therapy in the management of dementia.docx

ObjectiveThis network meta-analysis aimed to compare and rank the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and pet-robotic therapy (PRT) in the management of dementia.
MethodsRelevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Web of Science (WoS) until October 13, 2022. Traditional meta-analysis was first conducted based on the random-effects model, then random network meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relative efficacy and rank probability of AAT and PRT.
ResultsNineteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this network meta-analysis. Network meta-analysis revealed that PRT marginally benefited agitation alleviation compared with control (standard mean difference [SMD]: −0.37, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: −0.72 to −0.01) although both AAT and PRT did not improve cognitive function, reduce depression, and improve Quality of Life (QoL). The SUCRA probabilities indicated that PRT ranked better than AAT in agitation, cognitive function, and QoL, although there were no differences between the two therapies.
ConclusionThe present network meta-analysis reveals that PRT may help alleviate agitated behaviors in people with dementia. However, future studies are warranted to establish evidence of the effectiveness of PRT and further evaluate the differences between different robot types in managing dementia.

研究目的：本项网络荟萃分析旨在对比并排序动物辅助疗法（animal-assisted therapy, AAT）与宠物机器人疗法（pet-robotic therapy, PRT）在痴呆管理中的疗效。
研究方法：通过检索PubMed、EMBASE、Cochrane图书馆、SCOPUS及Web of Science（WoS）数据库，截至2022年10月13日筛选相关研究。首先基于随机效应模型开展传统荟萃分析，随后进行随机网络荟萃分析，以明确AAT与PRT的相对疗效及排序概率。
研究结果：本项网络荟萃分析共纳入19项随机对照试验（randomized controlled trials, RCTs）。分析结果显示，相较于对照组，PRT对激越症状的缓解具有轻微益处（标准化均数差[standard mean difference, SMD]：−0.37，95%置信区间[95% confidence interval, 95%CI]：−0.72 至 −0.01）；尽管AAT与PRT均未改善认知功能、缓解抑郁症状或提升生活质量（Quality of Life, QoL）。累积排序曲线下面积（Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking, SUCRA）概率分析表明，PRT在激越症状、认知功能及生活质量维度的排序均优于AAT，但二者未呈现统计学差异。
研究结论：本项网络荟萃分析表明，PRT或可缓解痴呆患者的激越行为。不过未来仍需开展相关研究以验证PRT的疗效证据，并进一步评估不同类型机器人在痴呆管理中的疗效差异。