Static posturography as a novel measure of the effects of aging on postural control in dogs

Abstract

Aging is associated with impairment in postural control in humans. While dogs are a powerful model for the study of aging, the associations between age and postural control in this species have not yet been elucidated. The aims of this work were to establish a reliable protocol to measure center of pressure excursions in standing dogs and to determine age-related changes in postural sway. Data were obtained from 40 healthy adult dogs (Group A) and 28 senior dogs (Group B) during seven trials (within one session of data collection) of quiet standing on a pressure sensitive walkway system. Velocity, acceleration, root mean square, 95% ellipse area, range and frequency revolve were recorded as measures of postural sway. In Group A, reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation, and the effect of morphometric variables was evaluated using linear regression. By means of stepwise linear regression we determined that root mean square overall and acceleration in the craniocaudal direction were the best variables able to discriminate between Group A and Group B. The relationship between these two center-of-pressure (COP) measures and the dogs’ fractional lifespan was examined in both groups and the role of pain and proprioceptive deficits was evaluated in Group B. All measures except for frequency revolve showed good to excellent reliability. Weight, height and length were correlated with most of the measures. Fractional lifespan impacted postural control in Group B but not Group A. Joint pain and its interaction with proprioceptive deficits influence postural sway especially in the acceleration in the craniocaudal direction, while fractional lifespan was most important in the overall COP displacement. In conclusion, our study found that pressure sensitive walkway systems are a reliable tool to evaluate postural sway in dogs; and that postural sway is affected by morphometric parameters and increases with age and joint pain.

Activity patterns are associated with fractional lifespan, memory, and gait speed in aged dogs

“…We enrolled 27 dogs (12 spayed females and 15 neutered males), with a mean ± SD age of 12.9 ± 1.64 years and a fractional lifespan of 1.04 ± 0.12. As described in our previous work 23 , we calculated their fractional lifespan by dividing their age by their expected lifespan as proposed by Greer et al (2007) 24 . Dogs belonged to 12 different breeds with 7 dogs (26%) being mixed breed.…”

“…Since both activity, and all the variables included in this study might be influenced by aging 23 , 29 , we performed a multivariate Spearman’s correlation analysis to determine the correlation between fractional lifespan and cognitive function (CADES score and performance in each cognitive test), joint and spinal pain and the off/on leash gait speed ratio. The Holm-Sidak familywise error correction was used to adjust the p value for multiple comparisons.…”

“…This questionnaire evaluates four domains of behavioral changes (spatial orientation, social interaction, sleep-wake cycles and house soiling) across seventeen questions. The total score ranges from 0 to 95 and allows classification of the dogs into four categories: normal (0-7), mild (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23), moderate or severe (45-85) cognitive dysfunction.…”

Vertical ground reaction forces, paw pressure distribution, and center of pressure during heelwork in working dogs competing in obedience

“…It should be noted that both the body COP (e.g., in humans between the legs) and the COP under the legs (limb COP) can be evaluated as well during standing (static posturography) as well during motion (dynamic posturography). If the COP is evaluated during standing it is generally assumed, that lower values of the mentioned values are indicative for better stability (28,29,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39). In humans such measurements are widely used in different conditions.…”

“…Further, there is a wide body of evidence that impairment of postural stability is associated with aging and Alzheimer's Disease (42,43). In veterinary medicine, newborn foals showed a higher amplitude and velocity of COP movements compared data collected during the following months, which was interpreted as an increased stability during the growth (44) and senior dogs showed a higher COP displacement compared to younger dogs (39). Also lame dogs with elbow osteoarthrosis showed a significant increase in COP-area and greater and asymmetric oscillations in mediolateral and craniocaudal direction (33).…”