Abstract
While prior research has explored various physiological consequences associated with assistive device use for ambulation, limited research has specifically explored the impact of mobility dog partnership on human kinematics. This descriptive study examined the impact of mobility dog partnership on kinematics of individuals in the normal young adult population. Sixteen participants were video recorded while walking in a straight line for 3.7 m (12 feet) under three different conditions (ambulating with no device, ambulating with a standard cane on the left side, and ambulating with a mobility dog on the left side). Differences between joint angles under each of the conditions were analyzed. Statistically significant differences were found in left elbow flexion when comparing ambulating with a cane versus ambulating with no device; left shoulder abduction when comparing ambulating with a cane versus ambulating with a mobility dog, ambulating with a mobility dog versus no device, and ambulating with a cane versus no device; and left hip extension when comparing ambulating with a mobility dog versus no device, and when ambulating with a mobility dog versus a cane. These findings suggest that providers should evaluate and monitor potential negative impacts of assistive devices such as mobility dogs on human kinematics.
Highlights
According to a report published by the World Health Organization in 2018 [1], 15%of the world’s population lives with a disability
The results of the present study suggest that ambulating with an assistive device, including a mobility dog, may impact kinematics of select joints
Significant differences were found in left shoulder abduction joint angles across all conditions, in left elbow flexion joint angles when comparing the use of a cane to no device during ambulation, and in left hip extension when comparing ambulating with a dog to no device and to a cane
Summary
According to a report published by the World Health Organization in 2018 [1], 15%. of the world’s population lives with a disability. In their study examining the effects of mobility dog partnership on the kinematics of individuals using wheelchairs, Coppinger et al found that completion of mobility dog tasks (pulling a wheelchair and opening a door for a person in a wheelchair) placed significant physical strain on both the mobility dog and the wheelchair user [17]. While the team did not explicitly state that the pain was due to guide dog partnership, the researchers suggested that this finding may indicate the need for more ergonomic harness designs and ergonomics education for guide dog users [18] Together these findings suggest that, similar to other types of mobility devices, mobility dog partnership has the ability to impact the human partner positively, or negatively, during ambulation. Separate comparisons were completed for each joint on both the left side and the right side
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