Kinematic Analysis of Sit to Stand by Persons With Rheumatoid Arthritis Supported by a Service Dog
By Noguchi, Hiromi; Hoshiyama, Minoru; Tagawa, Yoshikatsu; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Volume 7, Number 1, pages 45-54Publication Date: January 2012
Study sought to quantify the kinesiological effect of the assistance provided by service dogs on transferring from sit to stand in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Participants were 24 patients with RA aged 30 to 74 years. In addition, two trained service dogs, a Labrador and a golden retriever, participated in the study. Participants performed a total of eight experimental transfers of sit to stand, including unassisted transfers, transfers with a cane, and transfers with assistance from one of the service dogs. Movements at the lower extremity joints were analyzed using a three-dimensional kinematics system and two force plates. At the hip joints, the range of motion changes and energy expenditure with a cane and with the service dog were smaller than that of the unassisted transfers. Transfers with a service dog resulted in less joint movement and less energy used in movements at the knee and ankle joints. Participants also scored themselves as requiring less effort on a self-rating scale than in other conditions.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
