DogMA research participant information

1. Title of Study

Using an owner-reported mobility app (DogMA) to collect and analyse dog mobility, and offer long-term monitoring of that mobility.

2. Version Number and Date

Version 3 (05/02/2025)

3. Invitation Paragraph

DogMA is a new app to help monitor your dog’s mobility developed by the University of Liverpool. By using this app, you can choose to share your dog’s data to support research in this area. If you are interested in supporting this research, please take time to read the following information carefully and feel free to ask us if you would like more information or if there is anything that you do not understand. Please also feel free to discuss this with your friends, relatives and GP/vet if you wish. We would like to stress that you do not have to accept this invitation and should only agree to take part if you want to. You can use the DogMA app freely without sharing data for research purposes.

The first part of the Participant Information Sheet tells you the purpose of the study and what will happen to your dog if you take part. Then we give you more detailed information about the conduct of the study where we explain the potential risks and benefits involved in your participation.

Thank you for reading this.

4. What is the purpose of the study?

The app (DogMA) was developed to allow owners to log measures of mobility in their dog(s). Any mobility data collected will be used to support your dog’s care; the app contains a questionnaire which should be completed at annual time points to generate a mobility score, subsequently, allowing for assessments over time and for these assessments to be shared with veterinary professionals involved in your dog’s care. The app will also generate a large dataset which may be used for research purposes at the University of Liverpool.

5. Why have I been chosen to take part?

We aim to recruit owners of dogs aged 5 months or older to use the DogMA app at annual time points to monitor their dog’s mobility. Participating in data collection via the app is completely voluntary; you can continue to use the app if you do not wish to share data for research purposes.

6. Do I have to take part?

Your participation is voluntary and you can change your consent settings at any time in the app, which will apply to future entries. Changing your consent settings does not require an explanation and does not incur a disadvantage. If you wish to withdraw, please free to alter your settings in the app.

7. What will happen if I take part?

When you have downloaded the DogMA app onto your smartphone, you will have access to ‘previews’ of what the app can offer. These previews will allow you to see the potential benefits of using the app and determine if it may be relevant to you and your dog. If you feel you want to use the app, you can use your existing Apple or Google account to access the app.

The app will contain a mobility questionnaire comprised of 24 validated questions. These questions have been validated as part of a Dogs Trust-funded MPhil and PhD and this research has been accepted to be published in the open access and prestigious scientific journal PLOS One. The questions are largely in Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format, as well as body weight and body condition score (BCS). This questionnaire is intended to be completed on an annual basis, but additionally, you will also be able to complete the assessment throughout the year e.g. a six-monthly health check or to monitor the effect of a medication trial. Once completed, the results of the questionnaire will generate a lameness score and report. Score-dependent, you may be encouraged to seek veterinary advice for your dog. The questionnaire results can be downloaded and shared with your veterinary surgeon and/or physiotherapist.

You will also be able to upload photos of your dog and record information in a diary, record medications and upload photos to provide additional information about your dog’s mobility.

Use of the app will allow you to log measures of your dog’s mobility and support their care. By giving informed consent, you will also allow your dog’s data to be included in a large dataset which can be used for research purposes.

Your use of this app is particularly important since chronic pain is difficult to assess in a veterinary setting. Hence, the app allows you (the owners) to assess and report mobility measures to your veterinary surgeon and/or physiotherapist. Osteoarthritis is a leading, but not sole, cause of mobility issues in dogs impacting the patient’s quality of life and the caregiver burden for the owner. With currently 10.2 million dogs in the UK and with approximately 20% of dogs aged over 1 year having osteoarthritis, the potential impact of you contributing data via the app to support further research into canine mobility problems is vast.

8. How will my data be used?

The University processes personal data as part of its research and teaching activities per the lawful basis of ‘public task’, and following the University’s purpose of “advancing education, learning and research for the public benefit.

Under UK data protection legislation, the University acts as the Data Controller for personal data collected as part of the University’s research. The Principal Investigator acts as the Data Processor for this study, and any queries relating to the handling of your personal data can be sent to Professor Eithne Comerford (ejc@liverpool.ac.uk) / Dr. Natasha Clark (natashac@liverpool.ac.uk)

Further information on how your data will be used can be found in the table below.

9. Expenses and / or payments

We cannot offer any payments, as this study does not have any direct funding to cover any reimbursement for using the app/completing the questionnaire.

10. Are there any risks in taking part?

The potential for physical or psychological adverse effects to both you and your dog resulting from this research is extremely minimal. The questionnaire and clinical history are commonplace in routine veterinary practice. Our work is non-invasive and simply requires you to observe your dogs’ everyday activities and answer questions relating to this. Hence, the risk of observing your dog is no greater than it is during everyday life.

11. Are there any benefits in taking part?

By taking part, you have the potential for early detection of mobility issues, therefore, improving your dog’s health and welfare. This, in turn, will provide you with objective information on which to pursue veterinary care if necessary.

12. What will happen to the results of the study?

Providing you do not withdraw consent; we would keep the data indefinitely to build a large dataset over time to support research into canine mobility at the University of Liverpool. You will also have access to the data you have submitted for your dog(s) to monitor their mobility at annual time points. You can enter the email address of anyone you wish to share your dog’s data with, for example, veterinary professionals.

13. What will happen if I want to stop taking part?

You can choose to give consent confirming to ‘opt-in’ or ‘opt-out’ to data being used for research purposes in the ‘Settings – Take Part in Research’ section; there are no consequences to not sharing your data. The database in which your dog’s data is stored will update if you withdraw consent to having your data from the app used in research. No future entries will be used for research purposes. You may withdraw your participation in the app at any time, without explanation, and are free to continue using the app to monitor your dog’s mobility without your data being used in research.

Any data collected up until the period of your withdrawal may be used for research if you are happy . Otherwise, you must contact us at dogma_help@liverpool.ac.uk to request that any of your data be destroyed and no further use is made of them.

14. What if I am unhappy or if there is a problem?

If you are unhappy, or if there is a problem, please feel free to let us know by contacting Professor Eithne Comerford (ejc@liverpool.ac.uk) and we will try to help. If you remain unhappy or have a complaint which you feel you cannot come to us with then you should contact the Research Ethics and Integrity Office at ethics@liv.ac.uk. When contacting the Research Ethics and Integrity Office, please provide details of the name or description of the study (so that it can be identified), the researcher(s) involved, and the details of the complaint you wish to make.

The University strives to maintain the highest standards of rigour in the processing of your data. However, if you have any concerns how the University processes your personal data, it is important that you are aware of your right to complain with the Information Commissioner's Office by calling 0303 123 1113.

15. Who can I contact if I have further questions?

For queries or more information about any of the information below contact the principal investigator via email (ejc@liverpool.ac.uk) or by telephone (07807 106568).

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