scholarly journals Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: Claims versus Evidence

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta L. Fiksdal ◽  
Daniel Houlihan ◽  
Aaron C. Barnes

The purpose of this paper is to review and critique studies that have been conducted on dolphin-assisted therapy for children with various disorders. Studies have been released claiming swimming with dolphins is therapeutic and beneficial for children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical disabilities, and other psychological disorders. The majority of the studies conducted supporting the effectiveness of dolphin-assisted therapy have been found to have major methodological concerns making it impossible to draw valid conclusions. Readers will be informed of the history of, theory behind, and variations of dolphin-assisted therapy along with a review and critique of studies published which purportedly support its use.

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Sears ◽  
Nitin C. Patel

ABSTRACTTics and Tourette syndrome are common comorbidities of patients diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One of the mainstay pharmacologic therapies for ADHD has been stimulants. However, this class of drugs has been associated with tic exacerbations, thus limiting their utility in this patients subgroup. Atomoxetine has been explored as an alternative treatment as one of the few non-stimulants available to treat ADHD. Early data identifies atomoxetine's influence on Tourette symptomatology to be not merely equivocal but potentially suppressive in the manifestation of tics. There are, however, case studies describing patients experiencing recurrences of tics following treatment with atomoxetine. We present a unique case of a patient, without any prior history of a movement disorder, who developed tics following a single dose of atomoxetine that did not improve until interventional therapy was initiated.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document