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Equine veterinary journal2001; 33(5); 446-451; doi: 10.2746/042516401776254781

Signal decomposition method of evaluating head movement to measure induced forelimb lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill.

Abstract: In horses at a trot, the head moves up and down twice in one stride. In horses with unilateral forelimb lameness this movement is asymmetric. Computer-assisted kinematic analysis of vertical head movement can be used to quantify objectively lameness in horses in clinical trials. However, in mild lameness, absolute measurements of vertical head height may not be sensitive enough to detect small differences in lameness, and extraneous head movement by the horse due to curiosity, excitement or nervousness interferes with the accurate measurement of vertical head movement asymmetry. We describe a simple, signal-decompensation method of evaluating vertical head movement using a model of induced mild foot lameness in 9 horses. The technique assumes that the vertical head movement pattern can be broken down into 3 components; the vertical head movement caused by forelimb lameness (A1), the amplitude of the natural biphasic vertical head movement (A2) and extraneous head movement. Extraneous head movement is mathematically removed from the vertical head movement pattern. A1 and A2 are then calculated. After induction of lameness, mean A1 increased by 1.63 cm (range 0.10-3.33 cm, P = 0:005). Mean A2 did not significantly change after lameness induction. Error in reproduction of the original head movement pattern was 0.3-0.5%. We calculated that a hypothetical clinical trial would require 12 subjects for testing to be 80% certain that this difference would be successfully detected using this method of lameness evaluation.
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Publication Date: 2001-09-18 PubMed ID: 11558738DOI: 10.2746/042516401776254781Google 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.

This research examines a method for objectively quantifying issues with a horse’s gait, or trot, using computer-assisted kinematic analysis. Specifically, the researchers are focused on evaluating head movement in horses with mild lameness in one forelimb, as it can become asymmetric in these cases.

Research Methodology

  • The research is based on a model of mild foot lameness induced in nine horses, focusing specifically on the vertical movement of their heads.
  • The researchers propose that a horse’s head movement during its trot could be decomposed into three parts: the movement caused by lameness in a forelimb (termed A1), the natural, biphasic (two-phase) vertical movement of the head (labeled A2), and any extraneous head movement caused by factors like curiosity, excitement, or nervousness.
  • Using mathematical techniques, they separated and removed the extraneous head movement from their analysis to focus solely on the impact of forelimb lameness.

Findings

  • The results showed an increase in the average value of A1 (the head movement attributed to lameness) by 1.63 cm after inducing lameness. The range of individual changes was from 0.10 to 3.33 cm, indicating a significant impact of lameness on the vertical head movement.
  • On the other hand, the value of A2 (representing natural head movement) did not show any significant change after inducing lameness.
  • The error margin in reproducing the head movement pattern was quite low, ranging from 0.3% to 0.5%.

Implications for Clinical Trials

  • Based on these results, the researchers suggest that only 12 subjects would be required in a clinical trial using this method to be 80% certain of detecting differences due to lameness.
  • This proposed method, therefore, offers a potential way of objectively measuring forelimb lameness in horses, which could be valuable in clinical trials aiming to develop or test new treatments or interventions.

Cite This Article

APA
Keegan KG, Pai PF, Wilson DA, Smith BK. (2001). Signal decomposition method of evaluating head movement to measure induced forelimb lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill. Equine Vet J, 33(5), 446-451. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776254781

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 5
Pages: 446-451

Researcher Affiliations

Keegan, K G
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
Pai, P F
    Wilson, D A
      Smith, B K

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Evaluation Studies as Topic
        • Exercise Test / veterinary
        • Female
        • Forelimb / physiopathology
        • Gait
        • Head Movements
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
        • Horses
        • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
        • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
        • Male
        • Sensitivity and Specificity
        • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 17 times.
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