Smartphone-Based Pelvic Movement Asymmetry Measures for Clinical Decision Making in Equine Lameness Assessment.
Abstract: Visual evaluation of hindlimb lameness in the horse is challenging. Objective measurements, simultaneous to visual assessment, are used increasingly to aid clinical decision making. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of pelvic movement asymmetry with lameness scores (UK scale 0-10) of one experienced veterinarian. Absolute values of pelvic asymmetry measures, quantifying differences between vertical minima (AbPDMin), maxima (AbPDMax) and upward movement amplitudes (AbPDUp), were recorded during straight-line trot with a smartphone attached to the sacrum ( = 301 horses). Overall, there was a significant difference between lameness grades for all three asymmetry measures ( < 0.001). Five pair-wise differences (out of 10) were significant for AbPDMin ( ≤ 0.02) and seven for AbPDMax ( ≤ 0.03) and AbPDUp ( ≤ 0.02). Receiver operating curves assessed sensitivity and specificity of asymmetry measures against lameness scores. AbPDUp had the highest discriminative power (area under curve (AUC) = 0.801-0.852) followed by AbPDMax (AUC = 0.728-0.813) and AbPDMin (AUC = 0.688-0.785). Cut-off points between non-lame (grade 0) and lame horses (grades 1-4) with a minimum sensitivity of 75% were identified as AbPDUp ≥ 7.5 mm (67.6% specificity), AbPDMax ≥ 4.5 mm (51.9% specificity) and AbPDMin ≥ 2.5 mm (33.3% specificity). In conclusion, pelvic upward movement amplitude difference (AbPDUp) was the asymmetry parameter with the highest discriminative power in this study.
Publication Date: 2021-06-03 PubMed ID: 34204921PubMed Central: PMC8228485DOI: 10.3390/ani11061665Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores the correlation between smartphone-measured pelvic movement asymmetry and lameness in horses, with findings revealing significant differences across lameness grades for all three measures of asymmetry examined.
Overview and Objective of the Study
- The study aimed to investigate the association between the asymmetry of pelvic movement and the lameness scores in horses.
- This research was intended to provide a more objective means of diagnosing hindlimb lameness in horses, which is typically visually assessed and therefore can be subject to bias.
Research Approach
- The researchers utilized a smartphone attached to the horse’s sacrum, or lower back area, to measure pelvic asymmetry during a straight-line trot.
- They examined three aspects of pelvic asymmetry: differences in the lowest point of downward movement (AbPDMin), the highest point of upward movement (AbPDMax), and the overall amplitude of upward movement (AbPDUp).
Findings
- The findings revealed a significant difference across lameness grades for all three asymmetry measures.
- The study was able to determine a specific cut-off point for each pelvic asymmetry measurement, where anything beyond these values could indicate lameness.
Conclusions
- The results showed that the difference in pelvic upward movement amplitude (AbPDUp) had the highest discriminative power, meaning it was the most consistent indicator of lameness.
- This technique offers a more objective method of assessing lameness beyond mere visual assessment, potentially aiding better clinical decision making in the treatment and management of equine lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Marunova E, Dod L, Witte S, Pfau T.
(2021).
Smartphone-Based Pelvic Movement Asymmetry Measures for Clinical Decision Making in Equine Lameness Assessment.
Animals (Basel), 11(6), 1665.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061665 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7 TA, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7 TA, UK.
- Tierklinik Schönbühl AG, Oberdorfstrasse 1, 3322 Schönbühl, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7 TA, UK.
Conflict of Interest Statement
T.P. is the owner of EquiGait Ltd., providing gait analysis products and services. S.W. is the owner of Tierklinik Schönbühl AG.
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Citations
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