Postural stability and kinematics of dachshunds
Project aims
This study aims to help vets to get an objective picture of what healthy dog core stability looks like so they can make evidence-based decisions about the rehabilitation of dogs with certain neurological problems and also aims to improve the understanding of how this breed of dogs move.
We are studying several biomechanical aspects of smooth, long and wire haired miniature Dachshunds – a breed prone to spinal problems. The study consists in studying:
- The core stability of normal dogs and use it as a control to compare it against patients under physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatments
- The paws pressure distribution and full body kinematics during gait including spinal 3-D motion.
The study is taking place in Surrey’s Gait Analysis Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, University of Surrey, School of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, using a 3D motion capture camera system, foot pressure analysis and force plates.
Team
Project team
Dr Aliah Shaheen
Visiting Senior Lecturer
Biography
Aliah obtained her BEng degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Birmingham in 2006 and her PhD from Imperial College London in 2010.
Her PhD focused on developing methods for accurate tracking of scapular movement in-vivo. Following her PhD, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the same institution investigating the efficacy of physiotherapeutic rehabilitation techniques of the shoulder in people suffering from shoulder impingement.
She joined the University of Surrey in July 2011 as a lecturer in Human Movement Analysis.
Her current research interests are in inter-segmental coordination patterns and movement variability with applications in upper-limb movement, ageing and amputee gait.
Professor Clare Rusbridge
Professor in Veterinary Neurology
Biography
Clare Rusbridge is Professor in Veterinary Neurology at University of Surrey and Senior Neurologist at Wear Referrals. She became Batchelor of Veterinary Medicine in Surgery from Glasgow University in 1991 and a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology after a residency in Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Royal Veterinary College. She became a RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology in 1997 and was awarded a PhD from Utrecht University in 2007. She has spent over 25 years researching Chiari malformation, syringomyelia and maladaptive pain. As a result of this work, she received the JA Wight Memorial award in 2011, was made Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (meritorious contribution to knowledge) in 2016, received an RCVS Impact award in 2022 and awarded the Pet Plan Charitable Trust Scientific Award for 2023. Clare has authored or co-authored over 160 scientific articles and book chapters and co-edited a medical textbook on human syringomyelia and is a popular invited speaker in 5 continents. Her professional interests include epilepsy, neuropathic pain, inherited diseases, and rehabilitation.
Research groups and centres
Our research is supported by research groups and centres of excellence.