In addition to the search for new pharmaceutical or surgical solutions that could improve the therapeutic management of epileptic individuals, it is interesting to ask whether other complementary approaches, such as canine mediation in psychomotor therapy, could enhance the quality of life in this population.
However, there is currently no evidence indicating that exposure to animals through mediation sessions would be beneficial for epileptic individuals, particularly regarding their quality of life, anxiety, emotional management, or cognition (such as social cognition). In the absence of current data in this population, it seems pertinent to study the impact of this practice on people with epilepsy. Furthermore, beyond quality of life, it would be valuable to examine whether it also influences anxiety or the frequency of seizures in individuals with epilepsy (a phenomenon reported for epileptic individuals living with a pet dog or a service dog). Canine mediation could help better manage and regulate the emotions of epileptic individuals, as well as improve their self-esteem.
Person aged ≥ 18 years
Presenting pharmacoresistant epilepsy according to the criteria of the International League Against Epilepsy
Explicit consent or no opposition to participation in the study by the patient and/or their legal representative or guardian
Image rights consented by the patient and their legal representative or guardian, if applicable
Fear or phobia of dogs
Epileptic person benefiting from a legal protection measure other than guardianship or curatorship
Person with insufficient cognitive abilities to respond to the questionnaires
Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
Parallel
canine mediation
Other interventionAnimal mediation consists of bringing an animal into contact with a specific audience to improve the mental or physical health of a person. The dog and beneficiaries interact through various activities, in which the animal participates, offered during the sessions. The dog plays a particularly important role as a mediator through the bonds it forms with the human, as well as a non-judgmental partner in interaction. The canine educator will be accompanied by a healthcare professional during interventions. The sessions are organized based on the expertise and suggestions of both professions (canine educator and psychomotor therapist). The canine educator will be a state-certified professional educator with a specialization in animal mediation. The dog used is trained by the educator, with two types of learning being worked on: emotions and "commands" on cue.
standard psychomotor therapy
Other interventionstandard sessions of psychomotor therapy
Improvement of quality of life
Increase in the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31) score of at least 5 points between inclusion and one week after the completion of the 10 sessions. The score of the QOLIE-31 (Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31) ranges from 0 to 100. A score of 0 represents the worst possible quality of life, while a score of 100 represents the best possible quality of life.
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