Environmental enrichment strategies for nursery piglets and efficacy for maintaining interest

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (17) ◽  
pp. 1995
Author(s):  
G. F. de Oliveira ◽  
F. R. Caldara ◽  
A. V. Marcon ◽  
R. A. Martins ◽  
C. Crone ◽  
...  

Context Animals in situations of stress and constant fear exhibit unwanted behaviours for production. Pigs that are afraid of humans tend to associate any management as stressful. The use of environment enrichment for pigs may help to alleviate anxiety and fear, and hence reduce unwanted behaviours during handling. However, provision of appropriate enrichment presents challenges such as the rapid loss of interest in objects by animals. Aims The present study evaluated the effects of different environmental enrichment strategies on the behaviour of pigs at the nursery stage, maintenance of animal interest in the enrichment objects, and their reflexes when faced with emotionally negative situations. Methods Piglets (n = 425) were assigned in a completely randomised design with five treatments and five replicates per treatment (17 animal per replicate). The treatments employed were: control, no enriching objects in the environment; WB, wooden box with popcorn and wood shavings; PT, objects made of plastic tubing; WB and PT concurrently; and WB or PT on alternate days. Behavioural observations were made over 10 days for 8 h each day, divided into four periods of 2 h. Piglets from enriched (n = 10) and non-enriched (n = 10) environments were subjected to three fear tests (human approach, novel object and novel arena). Key results No significant (P > 0.05) effect was found for the type of enrichment provided or strategy adopted (concurrent vs alternating) on the time piglets interacted with the enrichment objects. Animals kept in an environment with no stimulus had higher frequency (P < 0.05) of undesirable behaviours than those with enrichment, regardless of enrichment type or strategy adopted. Piglets reared without enrichment, when isolated in a new environment, had higher frequency of behaviours such as defecating, urinating and attempting escape, as well as more and longer vocalisation events (P < 0.05). Piglets reared in an enriched environment had higher frequency and duration of interaction with a new object, as well as shorter latency time for the first contact with the object (P < 0.05). Conclusions The use of enrichment objects in the rearing environment of piglets at the nursery stage reduced undesirable behaviours, suggesting reduced fear and anxiety, and may therefore improve their psychological wellbeing. Implications Use of enrichment objects during rearing may have implications for alleviation of chronic stress, which leads to constant release of cortisol, an immune suppressor hormone that reduces the health status of the batch and hence production indices.

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (17) ◽  
pp. 2068
Author(s):  
G. F. de Oliveira ◽  
F. R. Caldara ◽  
A. V. Marcon ◽  
R. A. Martins ◽  
C. Crone ◽  
...  

Context Animals in situations of stress and constant fear exhibit unwanted behaviours for production. Pigs that are afraid of humans tend to associate any management as stressful. The use of environment enrichment for pigs may help to alleviate anxiety and fear, and hence reduce unwanted behaviours during handling. However, provision of appropriate enrichment presents challenges such as the rapid loss of interest in objects by animals. Aims The present study evaluated the effects of different environmental enrichment strategies on the behaviour of pigs at the nursery stage, maintenance of animal interest in the enrichment objects, and their reflexes when faced with emotionally negative situations. Methods Piglets (n = 425) were assigned in a completely randomised design with five treatments and five replicates per treatment (17 animal per replicate). The treatments employed were: control, no enriching objects in the environment; WB, wooden box with popcorn and wood shavings; PT, objects made of plastic tubing; WB and PT concurrently; and WB or PT on alternate days. Behavioural observations were made over 10 days for 8 h each day, divided into four periods of 2 h. Piglets from enriched (n = 10) and non-enriched (n = 10) environments were subjected to three fear tests (human approach, novel object and novel arena). Key results No significant (P > 0.05) effect was found for the type of enrichment provided or strategy adopted (concurrent vs alternating) on the time piglets interacted with the enrichment objects. Animals kept in an environment with no stimulus had higher frequency (P P P Conclusions The use of enrichment objects in the rearing environment of piglets at the nursery stage reduced undesirable behaviours, suggesting reduced fear and anxiety, and may therefore improve their psychological wellbeing. Implications Use of enrichment objects during rearing may have implications for alleviation of chronic stress, which leads to constant release of cortisol, an immune suppressor hormone that reduces the health status of the batch and hence production indices.


Author(s):  
Paweł Piwowarczyk ◽  
Agnieszka Kaczmarska ◽  
Paweł Kutnik ◽  
Aleksandra Hap ◽  
Joanna Chajec ◽  
...  

Anxiety and fear are determinants of acute and chronic pain. Effectively measuring fear associated with pain is critical for identifying individuals’ vulnerable to pain. This study aimed to assess fear of pain among students and evaluate factors associated with pain-related fear. We used the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9 to measure this fear. We searched for factors associated with fear of pain: gender, size of the city where the subjects lived, subject of academic study, year of study, the greatest extent of experienced pain, frequency of painkiller use, presence of chronic or mental illness, and past hospitalization. We enrolled 717 participants. Median fear of minor pain was 5 (4–7) fear of medical pain 7 (5–9), fear of severe pain 10 (8–12), and overall fear of pain 22 (19–26). Fear of pain was associated with gender, frequency of painkiller use, and previously experienced pain intensity. We found a correlation between the greatest pain the participant can remember and fear of minor pain (r = 0.112), fear of medical pain (r = 0.116), and overall fear of pain (r = 0.133). Participants studying medicine had the lowest fear of minor pain while stomatology students had the lowest fear of medical pain. As students advanced in their studies, their fear of medical pain lowered. Addressing fear of pain according to sex of the patient, frequency of painkiller use, and greatest extent of experienced pain could ameliorate medical training and improve the quality of pain management in patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.F. Oliveira ◽  
R.T.R.N. Soares ◽  
J.P. Molino ◽  
R.L. Costa ◽  
T.P. Bonaparte ◽  
...  

In modern pig farming, the search for systems that promote environmental quality and welfare is an important issue. In this sense, the present study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment on the performance and behavior of piglets. In a completely randomized block design, 32 piglets (7.43kg mean weight), weaned at 28 days of age, were distributed into four treatments (control without enrichment, environmental enrichment with wood shavings as bedding; environmental enrichment with hanging toys and environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys). Four repetitions were performed for each treatment, with two animals per experimental unit. The instant scan sampling technique was used to record the behavior of each piglet for 20h. Animals receiving environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys were heavier at 70 days (P=0.02), exhibited higher total and daily weight gain (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively) and better feed conversion (P=0.02). Environmental enrichment increased the interaction of animals with the environment, allowing them to exhibit natural behaviors.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Alonzi ◽  
Thomas J. Caruso ◽  
Sayantani B. Sindher ◽  
Shu Cao ◽  
Sara Varadharajulu ◽  
...  

Phlebotomy procedures required in food allergy (FA) diagnosis and clinical trials often induce fear and anxiety for pediatric patients. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether virtual reality (VR) applications were effective in reducing anxiety for pediatric FA patients undergoing phlebotomy during FA clinical trials. Secondary aims assessed fear, pain, procedural compliance, and adverse events. Participants undergoing phlebotomy were enrolled and randomized to a VR group or standard of care (SOC) group for this prospective pilot randomized, pragmatic study. Participants in the VR group played interactive applications on a customized Samsung Gear VR headset and those in the SOC group received the standard of care. Participants' anxiety, fear, and pain were assessed with the Children's Anxiety Meter, Children's Fear Scale, and FACES pain scale pre, during, and post phlebotomy procedure. Compliance was assessed using the modified Induction Compliance Checklist during the procedure and compared between two groups. Forty-nine participants were randomized to VR (n = 26) and SOC (n = 23) groups. Although both the VR and SOC groups experienced a decrease in anxiety and fear from pre- to post-procedure, those in the VR group experienced less anxiety and fear during the procedure than SOC participants. Similarly, both groups experienced an increase in pain from pre- to post-procedure; however, the VR group reported less pain during the procedure than SOC. Fewer symptoms of procedural non-compliance were reported in the VR group. Interactive VR applications may be an effective tool for reducing fear, anxiety, and pain during phlebotomy for FA clinical trials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 67-67
Author(s):  
Rachel M Park ◽  
Rachel Bova ◽  
Jenny S Jennings ◽  
Courtney L Daigle

Abstract Feedlots provide limited environmental complexity to cattle-a highly curious and social species. In the absence of adequate stimulation, cattle may engage in aggressive or abnormal behaviors. Implementation of biologically appropriate and species specific environmental enrichment (EE) has the potential to enhance welfare of feedlot steers. The objective of this study was to identify behavioral differences between cattle exposed to EE compared to those without. Composite steers (n = 54) were assigned to one of two treatments 1) No enrichment (CON; n = 3 at 9 head/pen) and 2) BRUSH (cattle brush; n = 3 at 9 head/pen). Video recordings were decoded utilizing continuous observation for the frequency and duration of headbutting, mounting, kicking, bar licking, tongue rolling, allogrooming, and brush usage from 0800 to 1730 on d -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 relative to brush implementation. Impact of day, treatment and their interaction on cattle behavior was evaluated using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (PROC MIXED) in SAS. (BRUSH) steers spent less time bar licking (P = 0.023) and engaged in bar licking less frequency (P = 0.005) than CON throughout the duration of the study. Compared to CON, BRUSH steers performed fewer headbutts across the duration of the study (P = 0.004). Brush usage frequency (P = 0.0002) and duration (P = 0.008) was greatest on d 0 compared to all other research days. The frequency (P = 0.0006) and duration (P = 0.0002) of tongue rolling increased with research day. Similarly, the frequency (P = 0.0001) and duration (P = 0.002) of allogrooming increased over time, however, there was a decrease in allogrooming on d 64. Mounting frequency was impacted by research day and peaked at d 8 (P = 0.002). BRUSH cattle performed less stereotypic and aggressive behaviors suggesting that EE is beneficial for feedlot cattle welfare.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Amiri ◽  
Samaneh Mirzaei ◽  
Khadijeh Nasiriani

Fear and anxiety can affect surgery outcomes. Spirituality is one of the basic aspects of human beings. This study determined the effect of spiritual care on the fear and anxiety of orthopaedic surgery candidates. A spiritual care programme was implemented for the experimental group. The results showed the spiritual care could reduce the anxiety and fear of orthopaedic surgery candidates. Therefore, nurses should pay more attention to spiritual care and receive the necessary training.


2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Ellis ◽  
Patricia McCarthy ◽  
Pierre Gosselin ◽  
William Splinter

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sedative and amnestic effects, the rapidity of recovery, and the adverse effects of midazolam and propofol for intravenous sedation. The focus of this paper is the effects of intravenous sedation on distress, the acceptability to parents of this intervention for helping their children cope with painful procedures and the utility of an intravenous sedation program administered by an anesthetist.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty six children were randomly assigned to intravenous sedation with either midazolam or propofol as the first drug received. Self-report measures of  anxiety and fear were assessed before and 30 min after the lumbar puncture (LP). Self-report of pain was also assessed 30 min post-LP. The children were videotaped during the LP, and the tapes were coded for pain and negative emotion using the Emotion Facial Action Coding System. One parent completed the acceptability questionnaire while the child was in the recovery room.RESULTS: Only three children indicated pain on the Visual Analogue Scale, and two children had facial expressions indicative of pain during the LP. Fear and anxiety differed as a function of procedure order, and children were more fearful and anxious before the first sedated LP than the second. Intravenous sedation was highly  acceptable to parents, and neither drug was considered superior.CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous sedation with either propofol or midazolam, in combination with analgesia, was effective for alleviating pain and emotional distress associated with LPs. Although children were told that the sedation would make them relaxed and sleepy, they remained somewhat fearful until they experienced a comfortable LP. The benefits of an anesthetist-administered intravenous sedation program are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-281
Author(s):  
Carolina VASCONCELLOS ◽  
José Carlos Petorossi IMPARATO ◽  
Karla Mayra REZENDE

ABSTRACT Infant fear and anxiety are two feelings that cause stress in pediatric dental treatment. Many management techniques have been described in the literature, with the aim of controlling this anxiety and fear that are ultimately a big challenge for the dental surgeon. The aim of this study is to present a clinical case of a five-year-old child who would not cooperate with the dental treatment. To this end, an incentive chart was devised that is specific for treatment. The chart focuses on encouraging the child to comply with rules in the pediatric dentist office and, as the child completes his objectives, the chart is filled with happy faces and at the end of the appointment, depending on the outcome, the patient is rewarded with something. We concluded that the use of the incentive chart was particularly satisfactory in terms of the patient’s conduct and developing maturity over the course of his dental treatment and it may be an additional option to use as an adjunct in the approach to behavior in private or public dental clinics, and even in Universities.


2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
AFU. Carvalho ◽  
AJ. Araújo ◽  
DF. Farias ◽  
LCB. Rocha-Bezerra ◽  
MG. Cavalheiro

The present study investigated the effects of environment enrichment on the development and reproductive performance of an outbred Swiss strain. Physical enrichment consisted of free access of animals to tubular devices of different shapes and sizes. The development evaluation was done by monitoring growth rate during 39 days, from weaning (21 days) to the onset of sexual maturity (60 days of age). Over five consecutive gestations (105 days), the following variables were monitored: litter size, number of animals born alive; number of pups alive at 12 hours and on days 4, 9, 12, 15 and 18; number of animals weaned per litter; average weight of litters on days 4, 9, 12, 15 and 18. The reproductive performance was then evaluated using the inclusion of these variables in the indices of gestation and birth, viability, lactation, survival success, mating success and production. The results showed that the environmental enrichment did not influence, in a significant way, the evaluated parameters. However, there is no reason to deprive the animals from an enriched environment where they can develop their natural instinctive behaviour and guarantee health and well-being.


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