Erratum: Effect of Pet Insects on the Psychological Health of Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

<b><i>Background:</i></b> There is evidence that animal-assisted therapy has positive effects on mental health, especially in elderly people. Caring for insects is easy, relatively inexpensive, and does not require much space. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this 8-week randomized, controlled, single-blinded study was to investigate the effect of pet insects on the psychological health of community-dwelling elderly people. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Elderly subjects (≥65 years old) attending a community center in Daegu, Korea, were enrolled in the study between April and May 2014 and randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive insect therapy and health advice or only health advice. The insect group received 5 crickets in a cage with sufficient fodder and a detailed instruction manual. At baseline and at 8 weeks, all subjects underwent psychometric tests via a direct interview [Beck Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Insomnia Severity Index, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument] and laboratory analyses of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, biological antioxidant potential, and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites). <b><i>Results:</i></b> The insect-caring (n = 46) and control (n = 48) groups did not differ in baseline characteristics. The insect-caring group had significantly lower GDS-15 scores at week 8 (3.20 vs. 4.90, p = 0.004) and, after adjustment for baseline values, a significantly greater change in GDS-15 scores relative to baseline (-1.12 vs. 0.20, p = 0.011). They also had a significantly greater change in MMSE scores relative to baseline (1.13 vs. 0.31, p = 0.045). The two groups did not differ in terms of other psychometric and laboratory tests. No serious risks or adverse events were reported. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Caring for insects, which is cost-effective and safe, was associated with a small to medium positive effect on depression and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly people.

<b><i>背景：</i></b> 有证据表明，动物辅助疗法（animal-assisted therapy）对心理健康具有积极影响，尤其在老年人群中效果显著。照料昆虫操作简便、成本相对低廉且无需大量空间。<b><i>目的：</i></b> 本项为期8周的随机对照单盲研究旨在探究宠物昆虫对社区居住老年人心理健康的影响。<b><i>方法：</i></b> 本研究于2014年4月至5月间招募韩国大邱某社区中心的老年受试者（年龄≥65岁）入组，以1:1的比例随机分为两组：昆虫疗法联合健康咨询组与仅接受健康咨询的对照组。昆虫组受试者获赠5只饲养于笼内的蟋蟀，附带充足饲料与详细操作手册。在基线与第8周时，所有受试者均通过面对面访谈完成心理测评[包括贝克焦虑量表（Beck Anxiety Inventory）、老年抑郁量表（Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15）、简易精神状态检查表（Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE）、36项简明健康调查问卷（36-Item Short Form Health Survey）、失眠严重指数量表（Insomnia Severity Index）、疲劳严重度量表（Fatigue Severity Scale）以及简短相遇心理社会访谈量表（Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument）]，并完成炎症与氧化应激标志物的实验室检测[包括红细胞沉降率、高敏C反应蛋白（high-sensitivity C-reactive protein）、生物抗氧化潜能以及活性氧代谢物衍生物]。<b><i>结果：</i></b> 昆虫照料组（n=46）与对照组（n=48）的基线特征无显著差异。第8周时，昆虫照料组的GDS-15评分显著低于对照组（3.20 vs. 4.90，p=0.004）；在校正基线值后，该组GDS-15评分相较于基线的变化幅度显著更大（-1.12 vs. 0.20，p=0.011）。此外，该组MMSE评分相较于基线的变化幅度同样显著更高（1.13 vs. 0.31，p=0.045）。两组在其余心理测评与实验室检测指标上均无显著差异，且未报告严重风险或不良事件。<b><i>结论：</i></b> 兼具成本效益与安全性的昆虫照料行为，对社区居住老年人的抑郁症状与认知功能具有小到中等程度的积极影响。