Physical Activity Monitors in Companion Animal Chronic Pain Research-A Review Focused on Osteoarthritis Pain

Accelerometry-based physical activity monitors (PAMs) are a useful tool to collect objective measurements of physical activity and movement. Recently, there has been an increased utilization of PAMs in companion animal chronic pain research. However, a general lack of understanding of PAMs contributes to challenges and misconceptions around the interpretation and utility of these data. Commercially available devices differ in how they acquire, process, report, and, in some cases, interpret data. Furthermore, various factors relating to the subject, such as age, body condition, and species, clearly influence PAM data, and on top of this, understanding the biological meaning of PAM data is in its relative infancy. This review examines the principles of PAM technology and the technical and biological considerations when applying PAMs to companion animal chronic pain research, in particular osteoarthritis pain research. It also provides an overview of applications of these devices in veterinary chronic pain research thus far, and the potential of these devices in future studies.