Effects of a Mobility Assistance Dog on the Performance of Functional Mobility Tests Among Ambulatory Individuals with Physical Impairments and Functional Disabilities

Abstract

This study aims to verify whether individuals with physical impairments and ambulatory disabilities perform functional mobility tests faster using an assistance dog for mobility (AD_Mob). Thirty-four individuals with various physical impairments and functional disabilities performed at least one of the four functional mobility tests within their natural environment during an in-home assessment. Participants randomly performed the 10-meter walk test, the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and the stair ascent and descent tests with and without an AD_Mob during an in-home assessment. The main outcome measure was the time needed to complete all tests with and without an AD_Mob. When using an AD_Mob, many participants (≥70.4%) were faster when performing the 10-meter walk test (15.7 ± 8.5s vs. 19.1 ± 11.2s), TUG test (23.6 ± 14.2s vs. 27.3 ± 16.5s), and stair ascent test (18.6 ± 13.5s vs. 22.4 ± 17.5s) compared to doing the tests without an AD_Mob. As for the stair descent test, the use of the AD_Mob had no significant effect on performance (20.7 ± 15.9s vs. 24.0 ± 17.1s). When using an AD_Mob, the majority of individuals with physical impairments and functional disabilities significantly improved their performance (i.e., reduced their time) during the 10-meter walk test, the TUG test and the stair ascent test.

Keywords:

• assistive technology
• dogs
• mobility
• performance
• rehabilitation