Brigita Kreivinienė ^* Laura Šaltytė-Vaisiauskė Sonata Mačiulskytė

• Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania

Case analysis method is widely used in evaluating dolphin assisted activities due to the lack of research participants. Increasing studies assess the positive effect of proprioceptive exercises in various depressive cases. 14 adults diagnosed major depressive disorder included in this case study. A two-week proprioceptive dolphin assisted activity program was applied. The SF -36 scale was used: (a) before dolphin assisted activities, (b) after two-week proprioceptive dolphin assisted activities, (c) in a year after two-week proprioceptive dolphin assisted activities. The MyotonPro portable device was applied to measure the trapezius muscle, deltoids muscle, flexor carpi radialis muscle, middle point of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle, the gastrocnemius muscle (plural gastrocnemii), and quadriceps femoris muscle. The measuring results of SF -36 scale showed statistically significant changes in 5 subscales out of 8 (Friedman's test p-value less than 0.05) and in one more scale a partially significant change (p < 0.1). The physical activity that increased after dolphin therapy (from 68.5 to 85) remained the same in one year. There were no statistically significant changes in role limitations due to physical health.However, role limitations due to emotional problems and partially significant changes were recorded, the situation slightly worsened a year later, but there was no statistically significant deterioration. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare two dependent samples measured by the MyotonPro. Although the improvement was recorded in almost all muscle groups, statistically significant changes were observed only in trapezius muscle md p right, measuring stiffness, relaxation and creep; trapezius md p left measuring frequency, stiffness, relaxation and decrement; and deltoids muscle left, measuring frequency, stiffness and relaxation, i.e. the p-values of Wilcoxon test are less than 0.,05.Conclusions: Two-weeks of proprioceptive dolphin assisted activities for adults with major depression have statistically significant long-term change in better physical parameters. Emotional betterment parameters were less stable. The quick reactivity of trapezius muscle revealed that dolphin assisted activities acts as stress relief, and deltoids muscle as relief of negative emotions, such as fear and anger.