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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Pain Res (Lausanne) / Investigating conditioned pain modulation in horses: can the...
Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)2024; 5; 1463688; doi: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1463688

Investigating conditioned pain modulation in horses: can the lip-twitch be used as a conditioning stimulus?

Abstract: Study objective was to evaluate whether the application of a lip twitch could be proposed as conditioning stimulus in the context of a novel Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) assessment paradigm for use in horses. The study was a prospective, experimental, randomized trial. Twelve healthy horses were evaluated in two experimental sessions. The lip twitch was used as the conditioning stimulus in both sessions; electrical stimulation was used as the test stimulus in one session, while mechanical and thermal stimulations were used in the other. Differences between thresholds recorded before and during twitching (Δ) as well as their percent (%) change were computed for each stimulation modality as a measure of CPM. Heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded throughout the experiments to monitor physiological reactions, while the general level of stress and aversiveness toward twitching were scored using behavioural scales. Based on these scores, interruption criteria were defined. Ten and seven horses completed the electrical and mechanical/thermal experimental sessions respectively. For electrical stimulation, median (IQR) Δ was -2.8 (-3.9, -1.1) mA and% change 87.9 (65.7-118.2)%; for mechanical stimulation, Δ was -18.2 (-6.4, -21.4) N and% change 343.5 (140, 365.3)%; for thermal stimulation, Δ was -3.1 (-9.2, -2.1)°C, while% change was not calculated. Heart rate and respiratory rates varied significantly over time, with higher values recorded during twitching. Median stress and aversion scores did not differ between the two sessions. As lip twitching consistently affected thresholds to all stimulation modalities, it can be proposed as effective conditioning method for CPM assessment in horses. The exclusion of subjects due to severe aversion shows that this paradigm cannot be indistinctively applied to all horses and that stringent interruption criteria are necessary to guarantee adequate welfare during testing.
© 2024 Blum, Gisler, Dalla Costa, Montavon and Spadavecchia.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-24 PubMed ID: 39512387PubMed Central: PMC11540819DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1463688Google 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.

This research article explores the use of a lip twitch as a conditioning stimulus in a Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) assessment for horses. The findings suggest that lip twitching can effectively influence thresholds for various stimulation types, thereby demonstrating its potential use as a conditioning method for CPM assessment. However, the method may not suit all horses, necessitating stringent testing guidelines to ensure their welfare.

Research Methodology

  • The research was designed as a prospective, experimental, randomized trial involving twelve healthy horses.
  • Each horse participated in two experimental sessions, during both of which the lip twitch was applied as the conditioning stimulus. Different test stimuli were employed for each session, including electrical stimulation in the first and mechanical and thermal stimulations in the second.
  • Experiments were carried out while keeping close monitoring of the horses’ heart and respiratory rates. The researchers also scored each horse’s level of stress and resistance to the lip twitch using special behavioural scales.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • Change in thresholds recorded before and during twitching and change in percentages was calculated for each stimulation modality as a measure of CPM.
  • Heart rate and respiratory rate changes over time, particularly during the lip twitch, were also recorded.
  • Behaviours were scored for stress and aversion to determine the level of tolerance each horse had to the lip twitch application.
  • Based on these data, certain breaking criteria were established to determine when to discontinue the test for a particular horse.

Results and Findings

  • The majority of horses completed both experimental sessions. Results showed consistent alteration in thresholds to all stimulation modalities when the lip twitch was in use.
  • Both heart and respiratory rates significantly increased during the twitching session.
  • The median stress and aversion scores, however, remained relatively consistent across both sessions.
  • While the lip twitch can be suggested as an effective conditioning method for CPM assessments in horses, it’s essential to monitor signs of severe aversion and stress from the animal and apply stringent interruption criteria to ensure welfare during testing.

Cite This Article

APA
Blum S, Gisler J, Dalla Costa E, Montavon S, Spadavecchia C. (2024). Investigating conditioned pain modulation in horses: can the lip-twitch be used as a conditioning stimulus? Front Pain Res (Lausanne), 5, 1463688. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2024.1463688

Publication

Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2673-561X
NlmUniqueID: 9918227269806676
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: 1463688
PII: 1463688

Researcher Affiliations

Blum, Severin
  • Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Section, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
  • Veterinary Department of the Swiss Armed Forces, Bern, Switzerland.
Gisler, Jana
  • Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Section, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
  • Veterinary Department of the Swiss Armed Forces, Bern, Switzerland.
Dalla Costa, Emanuela
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.
Montavon, Stéphane
  • Veterinary Department of the Swiss Armed Forces, Bern, Switzerland.
Spadavecchia, Claudia
  • Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Section, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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