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Effect of service dogs on manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

This pilot study examines the effects of service dogs on manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. The study explores the impact on mobility, shoulder pain, social participation, and quality of life. The results suggest improved distance covered, decreased shoulder pain, enhanced skills, and increased social participation. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of service dogs for wheelchair users.

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Effect of service dogs on manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

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  1. Effect of service dogs on manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A pilot study Geoffrey Hubert, MSc; Michel Tousignant, PT, PhD; François Routhier, PEng, PhD; Hélène Corriveau, PT, PhD; Noël Champagne, ED, MA Psy

  2. Aim • Document effect of service dog on manual wheelchair (MWC) mobility and user shoulder pain, social participation, and quality of life. • Relevance • Service dogs help people with mobility impairments open doors, retrieve telephone, pick up objects, and pull MWC, etc. • Using traction provided by service dogs has physical benefits because users can operate their MWCs with less effort.

  3. Method • Assessed 11 MWC users with spinal cord injury before and after training with service dog and then 7 months later.

  4. Results • Using service dog: • Increased distance covered by MWC users. • Significantly decreased shoulder pain and intensity of effort. • Produced slight but significant improvements in MWC user skills and social participation. • May indicate trend for improved quality of life.

  5. Conclusion • More extensive research is needed to precisely identify effect of service dogs on long-term management of MWC use.

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