Agreement between accelerometric symmetry scores and clinical lameness scores during experimentally induced transient distension of the metacarpophalangeal joint in horses.

This research study evaluates the use of accelerometry or motion-tracking in assessing lameness in horses. The technology was tested against traditional lameness scoring methods by skilled equine practitioners. The study finds that accelerometry has a significant correlation with conventional lameness scores and may be a useful tool in accurately diagnosing horse lameness.

Objective and Methodology

The study aims to analyze the efficiency of accelerometry in detecting horse lameness by comparing two accelerometric symmetry scores with the established lameness scores created by seasoned equine professionals. The researchers used six horse subjects in good health, equipped with a three-axis 10G piezoresistant accelerometer at the lower point of their back and these horses were video recorded trotting at different intervals (at 0, 3, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes) after an injection of saline solution was administered into one of their joints. These videos were scored blindly using the AAEP scale by two seasoned equine professionals.

Analysis and Results

The researchers did a regression analysis between the scores from the AAEP scale and the accelerometer symmetry scores, alongside assessments of interobserver agreements. The study registered a 70% agreement between observers, indicating a high level of consistency between trained professionals. Concurrently, it found a statistically significant correlation between the traditional lameness scores and the two symmetry scores from the accelerometry.

Conclusion and Implications

The study concluded that both symmetry scores, labelled S and A, demonstrated a substantial relationship with the traditional AAEP scores. They showed potential in being a valuable diagnostic tool in detecting and quantifying lameness in horses. In particular, the S score indicated variations in the degree of lameness, while the A score was successful in pinpointing the lame diagonal. However, the research stated that more studies are needed to engineer a combined accelerometric score to maximize the benefits of the individual symmetry scores.

In summary, the study shows the potential for accelerometry to be used as a powerful tool for diagnosing lameness in horses. This is particularly valuable when considering the traditional method of diagnosing lameness in horses is typically a subjective and potentially inconsistent process.