| Background Geriatric depression is a common psychiatric problem in the elderly population, and many studies have shown that animal-assisted interventions can be helpful in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, but the effectiveness of their application in the geriatric depression population is controversial. Objective To provide an overview of the current state of research on animal assisted interventions to alleviate geriatric depression, and to inform the development of animal assisted intervention programs for the geriatric depression population. Methods Based on Arksey's scoping review method to identify the problem, on April 16, 2023, China Knowledge Network, VIP databases, Wanfang Medical Network database, China Biomedical Literature database, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase database were searched to collect studies related to animal-assisted interventions and geriatric depression from inception to April 15, 2023. The literature was screened and extracted data on basic information, intervention content, and study findings, which were independently carried out by two researchers who have received unified training. Results A total of 13 literatures were included in the final review, and animal-assisted interventions are available in nursing homes, hospitals, communities, day care centers, and residences. Interventions were petting and naming the animals, verbally interacting with the animals, playing games with the animals, communicating with the physiotherapists, and learning to care for and raise the animals. Animal assisted interventions have a positive effect on improving social interaction and communication ability, bringing positive emotional experience, and improving life satisfaction in geriatric depression, but the effect on improving cognitive impairment is controversial. Conclusion Animal-assisted interventions can help improve negative mood and depressive symptoms in geriatric depression, which may be a safe and effective psychotherapy. |