Galley Proof 30/07/2010; 15:16 File: nre592.tex; BOKCTP/ljl p. 1 NeuroRehabilitation 27 (2010) 1–9 1 DOI 10.3233/NRE-2010-0592 IOS Press Effectiveness of a rehabilitation dog in fostering gait retraining for adults with a recent stroke: A multiple single-case study Lynda Rondeau a,* , H´ el` ene Corriveau b , Nathalie Bier c , Chantal Camden a , No¨ el Champagne d and Chantale Dion a a Centre de R´ eadaptation Estrie, Sherbrooke, Qu ´ ebec, Canada b Research Centre on Aging, Sherbrooke, Qu ´ ebec, Canada c Universit´ e de Sherbrooke, Qu ´ ebec, Canada d Mira, Qu´ ebec, Canada Abstract. Introduction: Gait retraining approaches and walking aids currently used for patients with recent stoke present limitations regarding their utilization in clinical and real life settings. A rehabilitation facility implemented an innovative approach using a rehabilitation dog for gait retraining and as a walking aid. Objective: To explore the effectiveness of rehabilitation dog, both as a gait retraining approach and as a walking aid, to improve walking speed and gait pattern. Methods: Four participants, post recent stroke with hemiparesis, were recruited in a rehabilitation unit. A multiple single-case ABA design was used. The three-week training period focused on gait retraining using a rehabilitation dog. For each session, walking speed with the rehabilitation dog and the cane was documented. In each phase (ABA), the gait pattern was analyzed. Results: Mean (SD) age of the participants was 58 (3.2) years old; time since stroke was 88 (61.41) days. For three participants, walking speed was significantly increased after retraining with the dog. The four participants showed improvement of their gait pattern across phases and walked significantly faster with the dog than with the cane. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that a rehabilitation dog is an interesting gait retraining approach for a clinical setting and an effective walking aid following stroke. Keywords: Gait training, rehabilitation dog, stroke, walking speed, gait pattern 1. Introduction Approximately 80% of individuals regain some lo- comotor function after a stroke, but many remain with significant gait deficits [24]. Different rehabilitation approaches to gait retraining are used in clinical prac- tice [21] to reduce the consequences of walking deficits and walking aids can be used to foster the realisation * Adddress for correspondence: Lynda Rondeau, PT, Centre de R´ eadaptation Estrie, 300. rue King Est, bureau 200, Sherbrooke (Qu´ ebec), Canada J1G 1B1. Tel.: +1 819 346 8411, ext. 43135; Fax: +1 819 780 8973; E-mail: lrondeau.cre@ssss.gouv.qc.ca. of life habits. However, there are currently limits and challenges associated with every known approaches for gait retraining and for the utilisation of common walk- ing aids [8,37]. Innovative techniques should be exper- imented with, and the use of rehabilitation dogs could be one of them. Common approaches [2,18] of gait retraining include the Bobath-Based approach [7,8,14], the Motor Re- learning Program [5,6], and using a treadmill with and without body weight support [19,25,29,38]. However, studies [31,37] have found that focusing on walking itself was more effective than choosing a specific gait retraining approach or developing lower limb strength, balance or cardiorespiratory function. Moreover, de- ISSN 1053-8135/10/$27.50  2010 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved