Evaluation of a collar-mounted accelerometer for detecting seizure activity in dogs.
J Vet Intern Med 2020;
34:1239-1247. [PMID:
32293068 PMCID:
PMC7255659 DOI:
10.1111/jvim.15760]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
The majority of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy continue to have seizures despite appropriate treatment.
Objectives
To assess the use of a commercially available, collar‐mounted accelerometer to detect generalized seizures in dogs.
Animals
Twenty two client‐owned dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.
Methods
Six‐month prospective clinical study during which dogs wore a collar‐mounted accelerometer. Seizure documentation was based on owner observations and video recordings. The accelerometer used a predefined algorithm to detect seizures in the first study phase, and an individualized algorithm in the second study phase. Caregivers completed a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire at the initial and final study visit.
Results
Using the predefined algorithm, the accelerometer detected seizures with a sensitivity of 18.6% (95% CI [13.4%, 23.8%]) and mean false detection rate of 0.096/day. Values did not change significantly with use of an individualized algorithm (sensitivity 22.1%, 95% CI [15.1%, 29.0%]; false detection rate 0.054/day). Mean composite QoL score was significantly improved at study completion (50.42) compared to study initiation (39.53; P = .005), and this change was moderately correlated with a change in weekly exercise (r = 0.46, P = .05).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Generalized seizures in dogs can be detected with a collar‐mounted accelerometer, but the overall sensitivity is low.
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