Tug of War

Intervention Summary

Goals: Grip strength, arm strength, balance
Patient task: Hold onto rope and resist the pull of facility dog
Dog task: Tug on rope toy
Scale: Positioning, rope
Equipment needed: Rope toy

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Intervention Overview

Tap into your patient’s competitive side with a game of tug of war! Your patient can work on upper extremity and grip strength by pulling on a rope toy, with the addition of reactive balance as your facility dog tugs back.

Patient Instructions

• Patient set up in sitting or standing position

• Hold onto rope toy and tug against the facility dog

Dog’s Role

• Position facility dog in front of patient (elevated on therapy mat or on floor)

• Dog tugs on rope toy

• Interaction level: active

Scaling

Make it easier:

• Patient positioned in sitting

• Use assistive device or railing for balance support

• Use larger diameter rope, or toy with handle to loop through wrist if grip strength is too weak

• Use both arms to tug

Make it harder:

• Patient sitting or standing on uneven surface (foam pad, BOSU ball)

• Try various positions for core strength: tall kneel, quadruped

• Adjust foot positioning: feet together, tandem stance, single leg stance

• Use smaller diameter rope

• Use only 1 arm to tug

• Dog releases toy at random times for righting reactions

Additional Notes

• Equipment: rope toy set (various shapes and sizes)

• Safety note: sometimes our facility dog gets a bit too “enthusiastic”… instruct your patient to let go of rope if facility dog is pulling too hard!