The objective of this study was to quantify the kinesiological effect of the assistance provided by service dogs on transferring from sit to stand in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Twenty-four participants performed a total of eight experimental transfers of sit to stand, including unassisted transfers, transfers with a cane and transfers with assistance from a service dog. We analysed movements at the lower extremity joints 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 the other conditions.
A service dog provides benefits in assisting with transfers from sit to stand by persons with RA. Future studies should consider training the service dogs to assume correct positions and use appropriate timing to support their partners during these transfers.