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CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2022; 05(02): e83-e92
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750033
Original Article

Effect of Needle and Extracorporeal Shockwave Stimulation of Acupuncture Points on Equine Chronic Multilimb Lameness Using a Single-Formula Approach

Raphael Labens 
1   Faculty of Science, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
,
Michael Schramme
2   VetAgroSup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Marcy l'Étoile, France
,
Josephine Nicole Sampson Hale
1   Faculty of Science, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
,
Antônio Raphael Teixeira-Neto 
3   Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brazil
› Institutsangaben
Funding This research received no external funding.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare effects with conventional (needle and electroacupuncture, NAP) and shockwave stimulation of acupuncture points (SAP) on chronic multilimb lameness in horses.

Study Design Randomized crossover block design; ten mature Standardbred mares with multilimb lameness (< 4/10) underwent 3-weekly point stimulations (NAP/SAP) selected on the basis of their uniform applicability. Groups were reversed following a washout period (9 weeks). Lameness at the trot was video recorded and quantified objectively using an inertial sensor-based system during a 4-week pre- and post-treatment period. Blinded expert review of recordings resulted in subjective qualitative (better, same, or worse) and quantitative outcome measures (0–10 lameness grade). Mixed effect repeated measures analyses were performed on objective quantitative gait parameters specific to fore (Vector sum [VSHead]) and hindlimb lameness (average differences in minimum [DIFFMINPelvis] and maximum pelvic height [DIFFMAXPelvis]) Qualitative data were assessed in non-parametric tests.

Results SAP had no effect on forelimb but improved hindlimb lameness (DIFFMINPelvis; p < 0.001). NAP was associated with deterioration of forelimb lameness (VSHead, p < 0.001) and had no effect on hindlimb lameness. VSHead data differed between modalities when accounting for the time of observation (interaction effect; p = 0.002). For other quantitative gait parameters, a difference between modalities was not observed. SAP was associated with greater animal comfort post-treatment compared with pre-treatment assessments (p = 0.036). Typically, improvement occurred by one and deterioration by two lameness grades.

Conclusion SAP and NAP were not associated with the same treatment outcome. SAP slightly improved but did not alleviate all lameness. Given the non-invasive nature of SAP, this method may have potential in the management of chronic multilimb lameness.

Keywords

acupuncture - horse - shockwave - lameness - Lameness Locator


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 13. August 2021

Angenommen: 01. März 2022

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. Juli 2022

© 2022. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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