*2.1. Characteristics of the Included Studies*

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for this study, and their general characteristics are presented in Table 1. Only studies with a PEDro score of 4–7 and thus deemed to be of "fair" or "good" quality were included [34]. A total of 507 participants were included in the meta-analysis. In the included studies, dementia patients were subjected to various interventions involving living or robotic animals. Each study was systematically analyzed and compared with the rest of the studies. The control group was typically subjected to the conventional treatment program provided at the hospital or facility at which the study was conducted.



Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia Scale; NPI-Q,

Neuropsychiatric

 Inventory Brief

Questionnaire;

 \* *p* < 0.05, \*\* *p* < 0.01.
