Development of the Finnish neurological function testing battery for dogs and its intra- and inter-rater reliability

Acta Vet Scand, 2018 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-018-0408-2 · Published: September 10, 2018

Neurology Veterinary Medicine Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

The Finnish Neurological Function (FINFUN) test was created to objectively measure motor function in dogs, particularly those recovering from spinal injuries. It aims to provide consistent and reliable results. The FINFUN test consists of 11 tasks, including lying down, standing up, walking, and navigating stairs. Each task is scored from 0 to 4, with a higher score indicating better motor function. The study found that the FINFUN test is a reliable and valid tool for assessing motor function in dogs. Experienced and novice observers showed a high level of agreement in their scoring, indicating that the test can be used consistently by different individuals.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

26 dogs recovering from spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The FINFUN testing battery demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.922.
2
Intra-rater reliability for the total score by experienced observers was almost perfect, with scores of 0.999 and 0.994 for observer 1 and observer 2, respectively.
3
Inter-rater reliability for the total scores, involving both experienced and novice observers, was also almost perfect (0.919–0.993).

Research Summary

The Finnish Neurological Function (FINFUN) testing battery was developed to provide an objective measure of motor function in dogs, particularly those recovering from spinal cord injury. The FINFUN comprises 11 tasks scored from 0 to 4, assessing various aspects of motor function. The study investigated its face and content validity, internal consistency, and intra- and inter-rater reliability. The study concluded that the FINFUN is an objective, valid, and reliable tool for evaluating motor function in dogs recovering from spinal cord injury, making it a valuable asset for veterinary physiotherapists.

Practical Implications

Objective Assessment

Provides an objective and standardized method for veterinary physiotherapists to assess motor function in dogs with neurological conditions.

Treatment Monitoring

Enables consistent monitoring of motor function changes in dogs undergoing rehabilitation, aiding in the adjustment and optimization of treatment plans.

Research Applications

Facilitates research on the effectiveness of different physiotherapy interventions for dogs with spinal cord injuries by providing reliable outcome measures.

Study Limitations

1
The study included only dogs with paraparesis or paraplegia, potentially limiting the variation in scores for tasks like 'lying'.
2
The absence of normal dogs in the study prevented the evaluation of the testing battery's sensitivity or specificity.
3
One observer was not blinded to the studied dogs, which may have influenced the reliability of scoring.

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