PhD Scientific Days 2026

Mental Health Sciences 2.

Psychophysiologycal Background of Animal Assisted Therapies

Előadó neve

Bálint, Eszter

Neptune code

SK83K9

Előadó munkahelye

Institute of Behavioral Sciences

Előadó telefonszáma

+36305257257

Előadó e-mail címe

balint.eszter@semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

Psychophysiologycal Background of Animal Assisted Therapies

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Eszter Bálint¹

1: Institute of Behavioral Sciences

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Szekció

Mental Health Sciences 2.

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Mental Health Sciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction: Human–animal relationships play an important role in emotional regulation, stress reduction, and social well-being. Research on companion animals and animal-assisted interventions has shown that affiliative human–animal interactions can buffer stress through modulation of neuroendocrine pathways, including reduced cortisol levels and sympathetic arousal, alongside increased oxytocin release, parasympathetic activation, vagal tone, and improved heart rate variability (HRV). These psychophysiological processes may contribute to emotional co-regulation and synchronization between humans and animals. Interaction with animals also influences emotion-related cortical regions and neurochemical systems associated with bonding, reward, relaxation, and socioemotional homeostasis. Studies further suggest beneficial effects on mood, anxiety, stress reduction, resilience, and quality of life. Within animal-assisted therapies, horses are considered particularly suitable due to their exceptional social-emotional sensitivity and responsiveness to human emotional states.
Aims: The aim of this presentation is to summarize current knowledge on the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying animal-assisted therapies and to explore methods for measuring emotional transfer and synchronization, with particular focus on the client–animal–therapist triad.
Method: A pilot protocol is currently being developed using simultaneous monitoring of the horse–client–therapist triad with Polar H10 heart rate sensors during standardized equine-assisted therapeutic tasks. Preliminary equipment testing is underway to assess feasibility. Emphasis is placed on physiological indicators such as heart rate (HR), HRV, and autonomic stress responses.
Results: Existing evidence suggests that emotional transfer between humans and animals can be detected on a psychophysiological level.
Conclusion: Investigating psychophysiological synchrony may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying animal-assisted therapies. Simultaneous monitoring of the client–animal–therapist triad represents a promising approach for objectively measuring emotional transfer and co-regulation processes and may strengthen the scientific foundation of animal-assisted interventions.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Dr György Purebl

Publication of my abstract

I give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies after complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

jóváhagyta

Előadó

7501

Start

12:30

End

12:40