The experiment consisted of two groups, a control and an experiment, and all participants had been diagnosed with mild to severe depression. The trials took place over two weeks, and each participant stopped taking antidepressants and going to therapy at least four weeks before they took part. During the two week period, the experimental group spent one hour a day with the dolphins, while the control group was swimming with the same conditions, sans dolphins.
To measure the results, the participants' depression scores, which are calculated based on multiple factors, were recorded before and after the two week period. These scores showed that on average, the group that swam with the dolphins experienced a greater drop in the severity of their depression than the control. While they do recognize that the experiment may have been flawed, the article goes so far as to claim that “in patients with mild or moderate depression, using drugs or conventional psychotherapy may not be necessary when biophilic treatment with animals is used."
However, further research showed me that these results aren’t as solid as they were made out to be. Some of the responses posted on the British Medical Journal’s website (these can be found with a search of “swimming with dolphins”) pointed out various flaws in the experiment. While not all of these responses are credible, it is the Internet after all, they do make some valid points, but at the same time, there are others who support these findings.
What do you think?
NOS:
The information in this article is based on evidence found during the experiment, as there was a clear difference in the decrease of severity between the groups. This shows that science is based on evidence. Science is also repeatable, shown by the participants having consistent results. This article also shows that science is tentative, as it is careful to mention that their results aren’t perfect.Title: Swimming with dolphins can alleviate depression
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2005/11/24/swimming_with_dolphins_can_alleviate_depression.html#comments (article)
www.bmj.com (British Medical Journal)
Rachel Pokrzywinski
I don't think that this experiment is exactly sound. There could be other factors that could be helping with the depression. Also, it wouldn't be a permanent cure to depression because the patience would need to come almost every week to get the feeling that relives their depression. Other than that I like it could be an amazing alternative to taking anti-depression medicine if they could do more research and experimenting to support their findings.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an interesting and valid experiment. Depression can be treated with Pet therapy, most commonly with dogs (http://depression.ourgoodhealth.org/Animal_Therapy_for_Depression.htm) I don't see why this wouldn't work for dolphins as well. Exercise has also been shown to relieve stress so I can't imagine why swimming and dolphins wouldn't make an impact. While it may not be practical to have a dolphin, many people have pets. People with pets have been proven to be happier(http://depression.ourgoodhealth.org/Animal_Therapy_for_Depression.htm. A pet can motivate you to act.
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