Table_1_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meta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，检索时限截至2022年10月13日以筛选相关研究。首先基于随机效应模型开展传统meta分析，随后进行随机网络meta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meta分析共纳入19项随机对照试验（randomized controlled trials, RCTs）。分析结果显示，与对照组相比，宠物机器人疗法对激越症状的缓解具有轻度获益（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）；尽管动物辅助疗法与宠物机器人疗法均未改善认知功能、减轻抑郁症状及提升生活质量（Quality of Life, QoL）。累积排序曲线下面积（Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Analysis, SUCRA）概率结果表明，在激越症状、认知功能及生活质量维度上，宠物机器人疗法的排序优于动物辅助疗法，但二者差异无统计学意义。
研究结论：本项网络meta分析显示，宠物机器人疗法或可缓解痴呆患者的激越行为。然而，未来仍需开展相关研究以验证宠物机器人疗法的有效性证据，并进一步评估不同机器人类型在痴呆管理中的疗效差异。