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The Veterinary record2006; 159(11); 346-349; doi: 10.1136/vr.159.11.346

Evidence of bias affecting the interpretation of the results of local anaesthetic nerve blocks when assessing lameness in horses.

Abstract: Eighteen observers were influenced to different extents in the grades of lameness they allocated to eight horses by whether they knew that a nerve block had been administered; on a scale from 0 to 10 the mean difference in grade allocated once the observer knew a horse had been nerve-blocked was increased by 0.4. The consistency of the assessments made by the individual observers was good, with a an average of 0.6 of a grade difference when grading the same horse on two occasions. The agreement between the assessments of four orthopaedic experts was reasonable (+/-1 grade), but significantly poorer for four non-experts and 10 final year veterinary students.
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Publication Date: 2006-09-12 PubMed ID: 16963714DOI: 10.1136/vr.159.11.346Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses how the knowledge of a nerve block can bias observers’ assessment of lameness in horses. Although individual assessments remained consistent, agreement varied based on the experience of the observers.

Test Scenarios and Observers

  • The research was conducted with a group of 18 observers. These individuals were divided into three categories: four orthopedic experts, four non-experts, and ten final-year veterinary students.
  • The object of assessment was the degree of lameness present in eight horses. The observers had to rate this on a scale from 0 to 10.
  • The crucial aspect of this experiment was the application of a nerve block to the horses. The observers were asked to evaluate the lameness before and after they knew a nerve block had been administered to the horses.

Influence of Bias

  • The results showed that the knowledge of the nerve block had a significant influence on the observers. The mean difference in grade allocated once the observer knew about the nerve block increased by 0.4 on average.
  • This indicates a level of bias impacting the interpretation of lameness in the horses. Knowing that a nerve block had been applied appeared to alter the observer’s judgment and grading of the horse’s condition.

Observer Consistency and Agreement

  • Despite this existing bias, the research revealed that the individual observers demonstrated good consistency in their assessments. Their evaluations differed only by an average of 0.6 of a grade when assessing the same horse twice.
  • However, the agreement between the assessments varied significantly based on the observers’ expertise. The orthopedic experts showed reasonable agreement, with just a difference of +/-1 grade between their assessments.
  • On the other hand, the non-experts and the final year veterinary students showed significantly poorer agreement, indicating the influence of experience and expertise on assessment accuracy and consensus.

Cite This Article

APA
Arkell M, Archer RM, Guitian FJ, May SA. (2006). Evidence of bias affecting the interpretation of the results of local anaesthetic nerve blocks when assessing lameness in horses. Vet Rec, 159(11), 346-349. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.159.11.346

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 0042-4900
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 159
Issue: 11
Pages: 346-349

Researcher Affiliations

Arkell, M
  • Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield.
Archer, R M
    Guitian, F J
      May, S A

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
        • Lameness, Animal / pathology
        • Nerve Block / methods
        • Nerve Block / veterinary
        • Observer Variation
        • Reproducibility of Results
        • Sensitivity and Specificity
        • Severity of Illness Index
        • Students
        • Videotape Recording

        Citations

        This article has been cited 35 times.
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