Lutonsky Christiane, Peham Christian, Affenzeller Nadja, Aghapour Masoud, Wegscheider Julia, Tichy Alexander, Bockstahler Barbara
Section of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Small Animals Surgery, Clinical Centre for Small Animal Health and Research, Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Movement Science Group, Clinical Centre for Equine Health and Research, Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Sensors (Basel). 2025 Feb 20;25(5):1300. doi: 10.3390/s25051300.
This study investigates the impact of visual input and aging on postural stability (PS) in dogs by analyzing center-of-pressure (COP) parameters during static posturography under sighted (EO) and blindfolded (EC) conditions. Twenty adult (<50% of fractional lifespan) and 20 senior (>75% of fractional lifespan) dogs, free from orthopedic, neurological, or visual impairments, were assessed using a pressure measurement plate. While no significant differences were found between adult and senior dogs under standard EO conditions, blindfolding revealed age-related disparities. Senior dogs exhibited significantly higher craniocaudal displacement and support surface values compared to adult dogs, indicating a greater reliance on visual input for sagittal stability. Conversely, adult dogs exhibited a reduction in postural sway during EC conditions, indicating an adaptive shift toward greater reliance on somatosensory input. These findings highlight diminished sensory integration and adaptability in senior dogs, correlating with aging-related declines in proprioception and sensory processing. This research underscores the critical role of vision in canine PS, particularly in older individuals, and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions, such as balance training, to enhance sensory integration and mitigate fall risk in aging dogs. Future studies should explore dynamic and multimodal challenges to further elucidate compensatory mechanisms.
本研究通过分析在有视觉（EO）和蒙眼（EC）条件下静态姿势描记期间的压力中心（COP）参数，研究视觉输入和衰老对犬姿势稳定性（PS）的影响。使用压力测量板对20只成年犬（<50%的寿命分数）和20只老年犬（>75%的寿命分数）进行评估，这些犬没有骨科、神经或视觉障碍。虽然在标准EO条件下成年犬和老年犬之间未发现显著差异，但蒙眼显示出与年龄相关的差异。与成年犬相比，老年犬表现出明显更高的头尾位移和支撑面值，表明在矢状面稳定性方面对视觉输入的依赖性更大。相反，成年犬在EC条件下姿势摆动减少，表明向更多依赖体感输入的适应性转变。这些发现突出了老年犬感觉整合和适应性的减弱，与本体感觉和感觉处理中与衰老相关的下降相关。本研究强调了视觉在犬PS中的关键作用，特别是在老年个体中，并强调需要有针对性的干预措施，如平衡训练，以增强感觉整合并降低老年犬的跌倒风险。未来的研究应探索动态和多模式挑战，以进一步阐明补偿机制。
