The Effects of Dog Walking on Gait and Mobility in People with Parkinson Disease: A Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Suzanne O’Neal, Megan Eikenberry, Byron Russell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: parkinson disease; gait; balance; dual tasking
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/5/1549

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dog walking on gait and mobility in people with Parkinson disease (PD). This single-group, single-session, observational pilot study included nineteen participants with PD in Hoehn and Yahr stages II (<i>n</i> = 9) and III (<i>n</i> = 10). Primary measures were a gait analysis and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). Three trials of two conditions (walking with and without a dog) were completed. Walking with a dog resulted in slower gait velocity (mean difference = 0.11 m/s, <i>p</i> = 0.003, <i>d</i> = 0.77), shorter step length (left: mean difference = 7.11 cm, <i>p</i> = 0.000; right: mean difference = 3.05, <i>p</i> = 0.01), and stride length (left: mean difference = 7.52, <i>p</i> = 0.003; right: mean difference = 8.74, <i>p</i> = 0.001). The base of support was more narrowed (Z = &#8722;2.13, <i>p</i> = 0.03), with increased double limb stance time (left: Z = &#8722;2.89, <i>p</i> = 0.004; right: Z = &#8722;2.59, <i>p</i> = 0.01). Walking with a dog caused slower TUG times (mean difference = &#8722;1.67, <i>p</i> = 0.000) and increased number of steps (Z = &#8722;3.73, <i>p</i> = 0.000). No significant change shown in step time (left: mean difference = &#8722;0.001, <i>p</i> = 0.81; right: mean difference = 0.002, <i>p</i> = 0.77) or cadence (Z = &#8722;1.67, <i>p</i> = 0.10). In conclusion, there was an overall decline of gait parameters in people with PD when walking with a dog.