title: Effect of trained Seizure Alert Dogs on frequency of tonic-clonic seizures.
abstract: We have previously reported that dogs can be trained to recognize specific changes preceding an epileptic seizure in humans. Such dogs can provide an overt signal that acts as a useful warning to the human. Early observations suggested that seizure frequency might also be reduced. We report a prospective study of 10 consecutive referrals to our Seizure Alert Dogs service of people with tonic-clonic seizures. Seizure frequency was monitored over a 48 week period including 12 weeks baseline after entry, a 12 week training period, and 24 weeks follow up. Comparing baseline seizure frequency to the last 12 weeks of follow up, there was a 43% mean reduction in seizure frequency ( P= 0.002). Nine out of /10 subjects showed a 34% or greater reduction, 4 /10 showed a 50% or greater reduction, and only one showed no improvement. Although a significant drop in seizure frequency was seen during the first 4 weeks of training ( P= 0.0078) a further drop occurred between the first and last 4 week period of training (P = 0.038) and this final improvement was maintained for the whole 24 week follow up.
authors.affiliation: Support Dogs, The John Fisher Centre, Trianco House, Chapeltown, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huyton
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D004285:Dogs; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index