Use of a wireless, inertial sensor-based system to objectively evaluate flexion tests in the horse.
Abstract: A wireless, inertial sensor-based system has previously been validated for evaluation of equine lameness. However, threshold values have not been determined for the assessment of responses to flexion tests. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate a sensor-based system for objective assessment of the response to flexion. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n = 17) in work were recruited prospectively. Horses were instrumented with sensors on the head (accelerometer), pelvis (accelerometer) and right forelimb (gyroscope), before trotting in a straight line (minimum 25 strides) for 2 consecutive trials. Sensors measured 1) vertical pelvic movement asymmetry (PMA) for both right and left hindlimb strides and 2) average difference in maximum and minimum pelvic height (PDMax and PDMin) between right and left hindlimb strides in millimetres. A hindlimb was randomly selected for proximal flexion (60 s), after which the horse trotted a minimum of 10 strides. Response to flexion was blindly assessed as negative or positive by an experienced observer. Changes in PMA, PDMax and PDMin between baseline and flexion examinations were calculated for each test. Statistical analysis consisted of a Pearson's product moment test and linear regression on baseline trials, Mann-Whitney rank sum test for effect of flexion and receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis of test parameters. Results: There was a strong correlation between trials for PMA, PDMin and PDMax measurements (P < 0.001). A positive flexion test resulted in a significant increase in PMA (P = 0.021) and PDMax (P = 0.05) only. Receiver-operator curve analysis established cut-off values for change in PMA and PDMax of 0.068 and 4.47 mm, respectively (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.65) to indicate a positive response to flexion. Conclusions: A positive response to flexion resulted in significant changes to objective measurements of pelvic symmetry. Conclusions: Findings support the use of inertial sensor systems to objectively assess response to flexion tests. Further investigation is warranted to establish cut-off values for objective assessment of other diagnostic procedures.
Publication Date: 2013-03-02 PubMed ID: 23447870DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00611.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research demonstrates how a wireless, sensor-based system can effectively provide an objective assessment of a horse’s response to flexion tests.
Objective of Research
The aim of this research was to establish the use of a wireless inertial sensor-based system as an objective method for evaluating how horses respond to flexion tests. Previously, although the system had been validated for assessing equine lameness, it lacked defined threshold values for evaluating responses to flexion tests.
Methodology
- Seventeen healthy adult horses that were working were chosen for the study.
- These horses were equipped with sensors on their heads (accelerometers), pelvis (accelerometers), and right forelimb (gyroscope).
- Prior to flexion, the horses were instructed to trot in a straight line for at least 25 strides over two consecutive trials.
- Sensors measured 1) pelvic vertical movement asymmetry for both right and left hindlimb strides and 2) the average difference in maximum and minimum pelvic height between right and left hindlimb strides, recorded in millimetres.
- A hindlimb was selected at random for proximal flexion, which lasted 60 seconds.
- After the flexion, horses trotted for a minimum of ten strides.
- An experienced observer, blinded to the process, evaluated the response to flexion as either negative or positive.
- Statistical analysis was undertaken to evaluate the changes in pelvic movement asymmetry and height difference before and after flexion.
Results
- The trials showed a strong correlation between the pelvic movement asymmetry, and the difference in maximum and minimum pelvic heights.
- A positive flexion test resulted in a significant increase in pelvic movement asymmetry and maximum pelvic height difference.
- Receiver-operator curve analysis defined cut-off values to indicate a positive response to flexion.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that a positive response to flexion resulted in significant changes to objective measurements of pelvic symmetry.
- These results support the use of inertial sensor systems to objectively evaluate response to flexion tests.
- Further investigation is suggested to establish cut-off values for objective assessment of other diagnostic procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Marshall JF, Lund DG, Voute LC.
(2013).
Use of a wireless, inertial sensor-based system to objectively evaluate flexion tests in the horse.
Equine Vet J Suppl(43), 8-11.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00611.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. john.f.marshall@glasgow.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb
- Gait
- Head / physiology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Male
- Monitoring, Ambulatory / instrumentation
- Monitoring, Ambulatory / veterinary
- Motor Activity
- Pelvis / physiology
- Wireless Technology / instrumentation
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ, Rhodin M, Hernlund E, Peterson M, Bos R, Bragança FS. Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 16;15(2).
- Crecan CM, Peștean CP. Inertial Sensor Technologies-Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Jul 11;23(14).
- Pfau T, Scott WM, Sternberg Allen T. Upper Body Movement Symmetry in Reining Quarter Horses during Trot In-Hand, on the Lunge and during Ridden Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 27;12(5).
- Marunova E, Dod L, Witte S, Pfau T. Smartphone-Based Pelvic Movement Asymmetry Measures for Clinical Decision Making in Equine Lameness Assessment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 3;11(6).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
- Schwarz J, Vidondo B, Maninchedda UE, Sprick M, Schöpfer MC, Cruz AM. Inter-evaluator and Intra-evaluator Reliability of a Software Program Used to Extract Kinematic Variables Obtained by an Extremity-Mounted Inertial Measurement Unit System in Sound Horses at the Trot Under Soft and Hard Ground Conditions and Treadmill Exercise. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:595455.
- Vertz J, Deblanc D, Rhodin M, Pfau T. Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0199447.
- Rhodin M, Persson-Sjodin E, Egenvall A, Serra Bragança FM, Pfau T, Roepstorff L, Weishaupt MA, Thomsen MH, van Weeren PR, Hernlund E. Vertical movement symmetry of the withers in horses with induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness at trot. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):818-824.
- Pfau T, Noordwijk K, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Persson-Sjodin E, Barstow A, Forbes B, Rhodin M. Head, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry and their relative timing in trot in racing Thoroughbreds in training. Equine Vet J 2018 Jan;50(1):117-124.
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