Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Objective To evaluate quantitative gait analysis in a sheep model ( Ovis aries ) of in-utero spina bifida repair. Method Using a 3D marker-based motion capture system, we quantified spatiotemporal gait parameters and hindlimb joint angles in a sheep model of in-utero spina bifida repair and normal controls. A linear support vector machine classifier, trained and tested on subject-disjoint partitions with individual gait cycles as the unit of analysis, evaluated the relationship between hindlimb joint angles and clinician-assigned Texas Spinal Cord Injury Scale scores. Linear mixed-effects models compared spatiotemporal parameters, hoof height, and hip drop across 3- to 6-month evaluations and between groups. Results In treated (n=14) and control (n=3) lambs, front- and hindlimb gait speed differed by timepoint (both p=0.025). Across 1,632 left and 1,661 right hindlimb gait cycles, held-out classification accuracy was 85.9% and 88.6% (Cohen’s κ=0.78 and 0.84) for left and right hindlimbs, respectively, against majority-class proportions of 76.5% and 75%. Left hindlimb hip drop differed between treated lambs and controls (Δ=0.8 cm, p=0.027). Between-group contrasts were considered exploratory given the small control group. Conclusion Quantitative gait analysis was feasible in an in-utero spina bifida repair model. Hindlimb kinematic profiles classified clinical ambulation scores above the majority-class baseline. What’s already known about this topic? Independent walking is a major benefit of in-utero spina bifida repair surgery and a driver of treatment innovation. Ambulation after in-utero repair is typically assessed using subjective clinical assessments, which limits the ability to evaluate the effect of treatment. Instrumented gait analysis enables precise evaluation of ambulatory function in three-dimensional movements but has not yet been implemented in models of in-utero spina bifida repair. What does this study add? We objectively quantified spatiotemporal gait parameters and hindlimb kinematic profiles over serial assessments in an established sheep model of in-utero spina bifida repair using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Hindlimb kinematic profiles classified clinician-assigned Texas Spinal Cord Injury Scale scores with 85.9%–88.6% accuracy, above the 75%–76.5% majority-class baseline. Pastern kinematics contributed most to classification. Treated lambs’ gait deviated from controls mainly during swing and mid-stance phases (exploratory).
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213538336