Dogs can detect post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) episodes by smelling humans’ breath, study suggests

Research shows that at least some dogs can detect these events through their breath, too. (representative)

New Delhi:

A new study suggests that dogs may be able to detect the onset of post-traumatic stress.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by exposure to a catastrophic or traumatic event. Symptoms may include reliving catastrophic events, hypervigilance, avoidance of any reminders, and cognitive or emotional problems.

While dogs are currently trained to respond to behavioral and physical cues, this study suggests that at least some dogs These events can also be detected through breathing. allergy.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs have been trained to help people when they are having trouble,” Quiroa said.

For the study, scientists recruited 26 humans as “odor donors,” 54 percent of whom met diagnostic requirements for PTSD. They “donated” the scent by attending meetings where they wore different masks and were reminded of their own traumatic experiences.

One mask worn by participants during normal situations provided a sample of calm breathing, while the other mask worn while recalling the trauma provided a sample of target breathing. Participants also answered questionnaires about their stress levels and mood.

The scientists also recruited 25 pet dogs for scent detection training. They said only Ivy and Carly were skilled and motivated enough to complete the study.

The dogs were trained to identify target odors in masks and were found to be 90% accurate at distinguishing between stressed and unstressed mask samples.

The scientists then gave the dogs a series of samples (one at a time) to see if they could still accurately detect the chemicals the participants released during stress, which contribute to their “scent signature.”

In the second experiment, Ivy achieved an accuracy of 74%, while Callie achieved an accuracy of 81%.

“Both Ivy and Carly find this work inherently motivating,” Quiroa said. “Their insatiable appetite for delicious treats is also an asset. In fact, convincing them to take a break is much more difficult than to start working. Carly in particular made sure there was no dawdling.” The researchers say that while there is some evidence that dogs may be able to Sensing body chemicals associated with stress in humans, but no studies have investigated whether dogs can learn to detect chemicals associated with PTSD.

Researchers say dogs can help patients by reminding and interrupting events while their companions struggle with symptoms.

The team says that if dogs could respond to their companions’ breathing stress markers, they could potentially interrupt PTSD episodes in their early stages and make interventions more effective.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)