FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A randomised, blinded, crossover study to assess the efficac...
Equine veterinary journal2012; 45(3); 293-297; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00618.x

A randomised, blinded, crossover study to assess the efficacy of a feed supplement in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in 32 horses.

Abstract: Feed supplements are commonly used by owners to alleviate headshaking; however, randomised, controlled trials are required to assess their efficacy. Objective: To determine the efficacy of a feed supplement for alleviation of the clinical signs of headshaking using a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Using a crossover design, 44 horses previously diagnosed with chronic idiopathic headshaking received both the supplement and a matching placebo per os for 28 days with a washout period between of 14 days. Video recordings were taken at rest and exercise prior to the study and at the end of both periods of treatment. The degree of headshaking was assessed in a blinded, randomised manner by 2 veterinary surgeons. At the same time points, owners completed a questionnaire to assess the severity of headshaking signs. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the scores while on supplement and placebo. Results: Using the video assessments, there was no significant difference between scores while on supplement compared with placebo (P = 0.7). Using the questionnaire responses, there was no significant difference between scores for any activity when the placebo and the supplement were compared with each other. However, owners reported significant improvement during all activities for both placebo and supplement compared with pretreatment scores. Conclusions: The supplement offered no benefit over a placebo in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking. There appeared to be a significant proxy placebo effect when the outcome was based on subjective owner perception of clinical signs. This study demonstrated no beneficial effect of this supplement on the clinical signs of headshaking. The study did show a significant placebo effect, thereby highlighting the necessity of properly conducted, randomised controlled trials, with blinding, to assess true treatment effects in trials in animals.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2012-09-19 PubMed ID: 22994634DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00618.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper demonstrates that a feed supplement offered no enhanced benefit over a placebo in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in horses. However, a significant placebo effect was reported, emphasizing the importance of well-executed, randomized controlled trials to accurately evaluate treatment effects in animal trials.

Objective and Methodology

  • This research aimed to assess the efficacy of a feed supplement in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in horses through a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
  • 44 horses with a previous diagnosis of chronic idiopathic headshaking were involved in a crossover design study, meaning they received both the supplement and a matching placebo, taken orally, over a span of 28 days with a 14-day washout period between treatments.
  • Video recordings of the horses were taken at rest and during exercise both before the trial and at the end of both treatment periods in order to assess the degree of headshaking.
  • Two independent veterinary surgeons assessed the degree of headshaking in a randomized, blinded manner.
  • To provide a subjective assessment of the headshaking signs, a questionnaire was given to the horse owners at the beginning and end of each treatment period.
  • A mathematical tool known as the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the scores determined while the horses were on the supplement and the placebo.

Results

  • As per the video assessments, no substantial difference was found between the scores for the horses while they were on the supplement compared to the placebo.
  • The owner questionnaire responses likewise showed no significant differences between scores for any activity when the placebo and supplement were compared.
  • However, both placebo and supplement were reported to significantly improve symptoms during all activities compared to pretreatment scores, as per the owners.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that the supplement did not offer superior advantage over the placebo in reducing the clinical manifestations of headshaking in horses.
  • However, a substantial placebo effect was reported, indicating that horse owners perceived an improvement in their horses’ symptoms regardless of whether they were given the placebo or the supplement.
  • This study demonstrates the vital importance of properly implementing randomised, blinded controlled trials to accurately determine the effectiveness of treatments in animal trials.

Cite This Article

APA
Talbot WA, Pinchbeck GL, Knottenbelt DC, Graham H, McKane SA. (2012). A randomised, blinded, crossover study to assess the efficacy of a feed supplement in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in 32 horses. Equine Vet J, 45(3), 293-297. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00618.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 3
Pages: 293-297

Researcher Affiliations

Talbot, W A
  • University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, UK. wendytalbot@fsmail.net
Pinchbeck, G L
    Knottenbelt, D C
      Graham, H
        McKane, S A

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
          • Cross-Over Studies
          • Dietary Supplements
          • Double-Blind Method
          • Female
          • Horses
          • Male
          • Video Recording

          Citations

          This article has been cited 15 times.
          1. Pickles KJ, Marlin DJ, Williams JM, Roberts VLH. Use of a poll-mounted accelerometer for quantification and characterisation of equine trigeminal-mediated headshaking. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):645-653.
            doi: 10.1111/evj.14132pubmed: 39020521google scholar: lookup
          2. Nessler JN, Delarocque J, Kloock T, Twele L, Neudeck S, Meyerhoff N, Riese F, Cavalleri JV, Tipold A, Feige K, Niebuhr T. Sensory nerve conduction stimulus threshold measurements of the infraorbital nerve and its applicability as a diagnostic tool in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking. BMC Vet Res 2024 May 16;20(1):201.
            doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04068-xpubmed: 38750534google scholar: lookup
          3. Kloock T, Hellige M, Kloock A, Feige K, Niebuhr T. Application of the HRE-S to 140 horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking and the association of clinical signs with diagnosis, therapy, and outcome. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1329054.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1329054pubmed: 38645651google scholar: lookup
          4. Bell T, Kyriazopoulou P, Mowbray C, Murphy BA. Equine Headshaking Syndrome: Triggers, Seasonality, and Treatment Efficacy in Australia. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 13;14(6).
            doi: 10.3390/ani14060875pubmed: 38539973google scholar: lookup
          5. Kloock T, Hellige M, Kloock A, Feige K, Niebuhr T. Impact of Different Diagnostic Procedures on Diagnosis, Therapy, and Outcome in Horses with Headshaking: Recommendations for Fast-Track Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Protocols. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 13;12(22).
            doi: 10.3390/ani12223125pubmed: 36428354google scholar: lookup
          6. Roberts VLH, Bailey M, Patel NK. The safety and efficacy of neuromodulation using percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the management of trigeminal-mediated headshaking in 168 horses. Equine Vet J 2020 Mar;52(2):238-243.
            doi: 10.1111/evj.13174pubmed: 31461784google scholar: lookup
          7. Sheldon SA, Aleman M, Costa LRR, Weich K, Howey Q, Madigan JE. Effects of magnesium with or without boron on headshaking behavior in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking. J Vet Intern Med 2019 May;33(3):1464-1472.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.15499pubmed: 30990929google scholar: lookup
          8. Sheldon SA, Aleman M, Costa LRR, Santoyo AC, Howey Q, Madigan JE. Intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate and its effect on horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):923-932.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.15410pubmed: 30666732google scholar: lookup
          9. Roberts V. Trigeminal-mediated headshaking in horses: prevalence, impact, and management strategies. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:1-8.
            doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S163805pubmed: 30666296google scholar: lookup
          10. Bell C, Hnenny L, Torske K. Internal neurolysis of the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve for the treatment of equine trigeminal mediated headshaking syndrome. Can Vet J 2018 Jul;59(7):763-769.
            pubmed: 30026624
          11. Sheldon S, Aleman M, Costa L, Santoyo AC, Howey Q, Madigan J. Alterations in Metabolic Status and Headshaking Behavior Following Intravenous Administration of Hypertonic Solutions in Horses with Trigeminal-Mediated Headshaking. Animals (Basel) 2018 Jun 25;8(7).
            doi: 10.3390/ani8070102pubmed: 29941850google scholar: lookup
          12. Murray JMD, Hanna E, Hastie P. Equine dietary supplements: an insight into their use and perceptions in the Irish equine industry. Ir Vet J 2018;71:4.
            doi: 10.1186/s13620-018-0115-3pubmed: 29423172google scholar: lookup
          13. Lees P, Pelligand L, Whiting M, Chambers D, Toutain PL, Whitehead ML. Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1. Vet Rec 2017 Aug 12;181(7):170-176.
            doi: 10.1136/vr.104278pubmed: 28801498google scholar: lookup
          14. Agar C, Gemmill R, Hollands T, Freeman SL. The use of nutritional supplements in dressage and eventing horses. Vet Rec Open 2016;3(1):e000154.
            doi: 10.1136/vetreco-2015-000154pubmed: 26925239google scholar: lookup
          15. Curie A, Yang K, Kirsch I, Gollub RL, des Portes V, Kaptchuk TJ, Jensen KB. Placebo Responses in Genetically Determined Intellectual Disability: A Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2015;10(7):e0133316.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133316pubmed: 26226597google scholar: lookup
          Subscribe to our newsletter
          Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.