Effect of gamified perceptual learning on visual detection and discrimination skills in equine gait assessment

Background: Visual assessment of equine lameness is an everyday veterinary task suffering from poor diagnostic accuracy. The aim this study was to quantify the impact perceptual learning game ‘LamenessTrainer’ on skill development. Methods: Thirty-six undergraduate students engaged in four modules teaching fore- and hindlimb lameness. Computer animations horses displayed 0% (sound) 70% (moderately lame) vertical movement asymmetry head pelvis. Performance, effects, accuracy, detection thresholds survey responses were analysed. Results: Following staircase learning, more than 80% reliably classified with ≥20% for forelimb lameness, ≥40% simplified ≥50% realistic During random presentation, average 82% sound 65% lame assessed correctly during evaluation, dropping 39% 56% Conclusion: In less two hours, systematic through deliberate practice can develop visual skills accuracy level comparable expert assessors scoring same animations. Skills should be developed further improve misclassifications mildly horses, especially evaluation.