Video split for one camera covering four open fields
Split a single multi-arena recording into four animal-specific clips before analysis—efficient even when one camera covers four OFTs.
OFTAnxiety5 min read
Open Field Test
Open Field Test (OFT): Principles & Protocol
Overview
The Open Field Test (OFT) evaluates spontaneous activity, exploration, and anxiety-like behavior. Animals are placed in a bright, open square arena; center vs periphery activity (distance, speed, center time, rearing) reflects locomotion, exploration, and anxiety toward novelty or potential threat.
OFT is used in anxiety mechanisms, psychopharmacology (anxiolytics, stimulants), motor/activity screening, psychiatric phenotype models, amygdala/hypothalamus studies, and early compound behavioral screens.
Methods
- 1Place the mouse in the center and allow free movement—typically 5 min (or 10/30/60 min as needed). Record total distance, center and periphery path/time, and speed.
Software capabilities
Flexible tracking from 1 to 16+ body points
Use 1 center point for trajectory/distance/speed/zones, 3 points for heading, or 16+ points for finer pose—matched to study needs.
Custom center zones (e.g., 25 cm to 35 cm) for sensitivity
Redefine the center ROI (e.g., 25 → 35 cm) and recompute entries, dwell, path, ratios, and speed when effects are borderline under a fixed center definition.
Analysis parameters
| Parameter | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| sample_name | Sample name | — |
| group_label | Group label | — |
| total_distance | Total distance | cm |
| average_speed | Average speed | cm/s |
| xxx_distance | Distance in a region | cm |
| xxx_distance_ratio | Region distance ratio | % |
| xxx_average_speed | Average speed in a region | cm/s |
| xxx_time | Time in a region | s |
| xxx_time_ratio | Region time ratio | % |
| xxx_number_of_entries | Entries into a region | count |
| outside_distance | Distance outside regions | cm |
| outside_distance_ratio | Outside distance ratio | % |
| outside_time | Time outside regions | s |
| outside_time_ratio | Outside time ratio | % |