Dolphins help in treating depression

PATIENTS with mild or moderate depression can be successfully treated by swimming with dolphins, research has suggested.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that swimming with the creatures led to falling levels of depressive symptoms in patients.

The findings support the theory of biophilia - showing how human health and well-being are dependent on relationships with the natural environment.

The research, partly carried out by Leicester University Medical School, appears in a special human and animal health issue of the BMJ, highlighting the impact nature has on people’s well-being.

The study was carried out in Honduras, with 30 patients diagnosed with mild or moderate depression.

For two weeks half of the group swam and snorkelled with dolphins for an hour a day. At the same time the control group carried out the same type of water activities, but with the absence of dolphins to control for the influence of water and the natural setting.

All patients stopped antidepressant treatment or psychotherapy at least four weeks before taking part in the study, with depression scores measured at the start and end of treatment.

The researchers found that the average severity of the depressive symptoms reduced more in the dolphin group than in the water therapy group. They said: “Depressive symptoms improved after two weeks of treatment. In conventional therapy - psychotherapy or drug therapy - symptoms usually improve substantially after four weeks.”

The researchers said that the overall reduction in symptoms of anxiety in both groups may be explained by the therapeutic property of water.

They said that the effects exerted by the dolphins were significantly greater than those just in the natural setting of water.

One reason for the findings could be the emotions raised by the interaction with the dolphins, the researchers said.

Three months after the study ended, both groups of patients reported a lasting improvement and did not require treatment.

Another article in the BMJ claims that owning a pet is linked to health and well-being - particularly for older people and those recovering from a major illness. But psychologist June McNicholas and colleagues said that conflicts between health and pet ownership could arise.

They said it was thought that up to 70% of pet owners would ignore advice to get rid of a pet due to an allergy.

Older people can also avoid medical care because they fear being admitted to hospital or residential care which could mean giving up their beloved pet.

But on a positive note, research has suggested that pet ownership is linked with a reduced risk of heart disease, lower use of GP services and a lower risk of asthma and allergies in young children.

The experts said: “People do not own pets specifically to enhance their health, rather they value the relationship and the contribution their pet makes to their quality of life.

“Greater understanding among health professionals is needed to assure people that they do not need to choose between pet ownership and compliance with health advice.”

Another report in the BMJ says that connecting with nature can also improve your health and well-being.

Ambra Burls and Woody Caan, from Anglia Ruskin University in Essex, said that the use of wildlife in some therapies - known as ecotherapy - is reported to improve quality of life.

They said that small animals such as squirrels and owls had been used well in therapies for children with emotional and behavioural problems.

“Partnerships between healthcare providers and nature organisations to share and exchange expertise could create new policies that recognise the interdependence between health people and health ecosystems,” the researchers said.