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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(11); doi: 10.3390/ani10112155

Identification of Body Behaviors and Facial Expressions Associated with Induced Orthopedic Pain in Four Equine Pain Scales.

Abstract: Equine orthopedic pain scales are targeted towards horses with moderate to severe orthopedic pain. Improved assessment of pain behavior and pain-related facial expressions at rest may refine orthopedic pain detection for mild lameness grades. Therefore, this study explored pain-related behaviors and facial expressions and sought to identify frequently occurring combinations. Orthopedic pain was induced by intra-articular LPS in eight horses, and objective movement asymmetry analyses were performed before and after induction together with pain assessments at rest. Three observers independently assessed horses in their box stalls, using four equine pain scales simultaneously. Increase in movement asymmetry after induction was used as a proxy for pain. Behaviors and facial expressions commonly co-occurred and were strongly associated with movement asymmetry. Posture-related scale items were the strongest predictors of movement asymmetry. Display of facial expressions at rest varied between horses but, when present, were strongly associated with movement asymmetry. Reliability of facial expression items was lower than reliability of behavioral items. These findings suggest that five body behaviors (posture, head position, location in the box stall, focus, and interactive behavior) should be included in a scale for live assessment of mild orthopedic pain. We also recommend inclusion of facial expressions in pain assessment.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-19 PubMed ID: 33228117PubMed Central: PMC7699379DOI: 10.3390/ani10112155Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study focuses on identifying body behaviors and facial expressions in horses that are associated with induced orthopedic pain. It discusses the application of four equine pain scales and recommends their refinement for the detection of mild lameness grades.

Research Methodology

  • The research was carried out on eight horses, in which, orthopedic pain was triggered using intra-articular LPS, a technique commonly used to simulate joint disorders in animals.
  • Before and after the induction of pain, the horses’ movement asymmetry was objectively analyzed. This technique provided a baseline to compare behavioral changes linked to pain experience.
  • The horses were observed separately in their box stalls by three independent evaluators. These evaluators simultaneously employed four equine pain scales for their assessments.
  • Increased movement asymmetry post-induction was marked as an indicator of pain.

Research Findings

  • It was discovered that certain behaviors and facial expressions commonly co-occurred and were strongly associated with movement asymmetry (a proxy for pain).
  • The items related to posture in these pain scales were the most effective predictors of movement asymmetry.
  • The display of facial expressions at rest varied among the horses but was strongly correlated with movement asymmetry when evident.
  • However, the reliability of facial expression items was found to be lower than the reliability of behavioral items in indicating pain.

Recommendations and Conclusion

  • From the study, it was suggested that five body behaviors – posture, head position, location in the box stall, focus, and interactive behavior – must be included in a pain assessment scale for real-time evaluation of mild orthopedic pain.
  • The researchers also propose including facial expressions in pain assessments, to enhance the effectiveness of the scales.

The research contributes to improving the assessment methods for equine orthopedic pain, drawing attention to the significance of behavioral indicators and facial expressions.

Cite This Article

APA
Ask K, Rhodin M, Tamminen LM, Hernlund E, Haubro Andersen P. (2020). Identification of Body Behaviors and Facial Expressions Associated with Induced Orthopedic Pain in Four Equine Pain Scales. Animals (Basel), 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112155

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Ask, Katrina
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Tamminen, Lena-Mari
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Hernlund, Elin
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Haubro Andersen, Pia
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • 2016-01760 (MR) / Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
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