Glycemic control in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) using Diabetes/Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs): A scoping review

Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review is to present the advantages and disadvantages of using Diabetes/Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs) and to highlight the gap in the literature resulting from the small number of studies that have been conducted, in order to trigger conduct new studies.

Methods: This scoping review was conducted in the Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, and 13 studies were included for further analysis.

Results: The accuracy of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia detection by DADs varied greatly between studies. The variability was due to the different training they received, as well as the nature of their relationship with their owner. Almost all studies highlight significant psychological benefits from the use of DADs through the testimonies of participants, with increased mental well-being, reduced anxiety, and increased physical activity.

Conclusions: The use of DADs for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a promising method. The results are encouraging as they appear to help detect extreme blood glucose levels and support the individual by offering psychological well-being. However, it is necessary to conduct more randomized controlled studies with a larger sample size and to develop guidelines for DAD training. Finally, it can be concluded that DADs cannot replace traditional methods of glycemic control but can be used as an adjunct to the optimal management of T1DM.