A retrospective study of a training program this time concentrating on Seizure Response Dogs by Kirton et al. [91] reported similar benefits in QOL. Records on animals' details, training programs, response and alerting signals, reliability and effect on seizures’ frequency were obtained. Twenty-two patients took part in the study, all with an established diagnosis of epilepsy validated by a neurologist and with 87% having a childhood-onset epilepsy. In average there were 36 seizures/ month with a minimum of 1seizure/month for six months being required and 4.8 medications were reported to be already tried and proven ineffective. Most of the subjects had tried another unconventional treatment as well. The average age was 36 years old
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All participants, their immediate family and caregivers were interviewed by the same inspector. Except demographics, researchers were interested in patients’ medical and mostly epilepsy history with highlights in diagnosis, medical treatments or alternative treatments tried, an overall evaluation of the seizure dog training program, dogs detailed pattern of behaviour in response to seizures, whether they developed an alerting behaviour as well and finally how patients’ life changed after obtaining an SRD. Neurologists and program staff were also questioned. A grade scale from 1 to 5 was adopted: (1) very poor, (2) somewhat poor, (3) neutral, (4) somewhat favourable, (5) very favourable, to help in obtaining mean scores. Subjects were asked about their QOL immediately prior to the SRD and the time the research took …show more content…
This time instead of barking to call help, most of the dogs were staring the owner, 38% kept closed to him or physically blocked him from exiting the house. Other behaviours were jumping, sniffing, whimpering. The warning occurred in average 31 minutes prior to seizures and this period increased over time. Most warnings were reported as accurate and only 15% mentioned a missed episode. A given predictability of a seizure helps managing it by getting the attention of caregivers and family, moving to a safe location and receiving the needed anticonvulsant treatment. SADs aided 69% of subjects to experience less attacks and of less duration and
All participants, their immediate family and caregivers were interviewed by the same inspector. Except demographics, researchers were interested in patients’ medical and mostly epilepsy history with highlights in diagnosis, medical treatments or alternative treatments tried, an overall evaluation of the seizure dog training program, dogs detailed pattern of behaviour in response to seizures, whether they developed an alerting behaviour as well and finally how patients’ life changed after obtaining an SRD. Neurologists and program staff were also questioned. A grade scale from 1 to 5 was adopted: (1) very poor, (2) somewhat poor, (3) neutral, (4) somewhat favourable, (5) very favourable, to help in obtaining mean scores. Subjects were asked about their QOL immediately prior to the SRD and the time the research took …show more content…
This time instead of barking to call help, most of the dogs were staring the owner, 38% kept closed to him or physically blocked him from exiting the house. Other behaviours were jumping, sniffing, whimpering. The warning occurred in average 31 minutes prior to seizures and this period increased over time. Most warnings were reported as accurate and only 15% mentioned a missed episode. A given predictability of a seizure helps managing it by getting the attention of caregivers and family, moving to a safe location and receiving the needed anticonvulsant treatment. SADs aided 69% of subjects to experience less attacks and of less duration and