Clinical-psychological aspects of the development of dolphin therapy as a method of psychological rehabilitation of children with limited health (analytical review of the literature). Part 1
The first part of the review presents cultural-historical and scientific and documentary aspects of the useful interaction of man and Dolphin, as well as scientific information about its unique natural phenomenology. Psychophysiological features of dolphins, which may be of scientific interest in relation to their possible sanogenic potential for humans, as well as the history of the formation of Dolphin therapy, both in our country and abroad, which in 1994 was reflected in its official recognition as a method of alternative medicine in the framework of animal therapy (pet therapy). The main scientific works on the practical use of Dolphin therapy for the 45-year period, most of which are devoted to its potential rehabilitation capabilities, various medical and psychological aspects and clinical effectiveness, are analyzed. The work on the use of Dolphin therapy as a method of psychological rehabilitation for children with intractable congenital or acquired mental and neuropsychiatric pathology (Down syndrome, early infantile autism, infantile cerebral palsy, etc.) is considered in more detail. Along with the innovative development and improvement of rehabilitation programs, techniques and approaches, the expansion of the range of clinical indications and evidence-based evaluation approaches to the clinical effectiveness of Dolphin therapy, it is obvious that the predominance of the commercial component, which today is much ahead of its own scientific development. This circumstance through the active use of modern information technologies and marketing strategies contributes to the successful promotion of advertising Dolphin therapy, in which the true scientific achievements often look somewhat exaggerated. On this occasion, there are many critical scientific publications presented in this review. According to the opponents, the results and conclusions of the majority of their studies on the clinical efficacy of Dolphin therapy from the point of view of modern scientific evidence-based medicine are, at least, unconvincing, which requires their further continuation in the scientific evidence (objectively evaluative) and longitudinal (catamnestic) aspects. Further accumulation of confirmed scientific facts on clinical efficiency of Dolphin therapy and innovative development of its scientific and practical methodology will contribute to its wider integration into various comprehensive rehabilitation programs for children with disabilities.