FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(12); doi: 10.3390/ani10122305

Accelerometric Changes before and after Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy in Horses with Thoracolumbar Pain Compared to a SHAM Procedure.

Abstract: Capacitive resistive electric transfer (CRET), a radiofrequency at 448 kHz, increases flexibility in quadricep muscles of human athletes. To assess whether CRET would result in clinical and biomechanical improvements in horses with thoracolumbar pain, 18 sport horses were divided into two groups: CRET (n = 9), subjected to four CRET sessions, during two consecutive weeks, and SHAM (n = 9), subjected to the same procedure with the device off. Clinical examination and accelerometry were performed before and after the four sessions. During the study, horses were in training and in active competition, and did not receive any other treatment. Mann-Whitney and a Wilcoxon matched pair tests were used to compare between the SHAM and CRET groups and before and after the intervention, respectively. CRET horses showed increased dorsoventral (p < 0.002), mediolateral and total power (p < 0.01) after the intervention, suggesting increased back flexibility. SHAM horses did not show any of these modifications after the intervention. No changes were found in the dorsoventral displacement of the gravity center in either group. Thoracolumbar pain decreased one degree after CRET (p = 0.002), and it did not change after SHAM. Epaxial muscle pain decreased two degrees after CRET (p = 0.03) and one degree after SHAM (p = 0.01). These results reflected that CRET therapy would increase back flexibility and decrease thoracolumbar and epaxial pain.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-12-05 PubMed ID: 33291357PubMed Central: PMC7762083DOI: 10.3390/ani10122305Google 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

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.

The research studied the effects of a specific treatment, Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer (CRET), on horses experiencing back pain, concluding that this treatment increased back flexibility and reduced back and muscle pain.

Introduction

In the field of equine sports medicine, the treatment of thoracolumbar pain, which affects the horse’s middle and lower back, is a pertinent issue. This research was driven by a desire to mitigate this issue using Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer (CRET). This type of therapy leverages radio frequency at 448 kHz, and it has been shown to increase the flexibility in the quadriceps muscles of human athletes.

Methodology

  • Sample size: 18 sport horses were utilized during this study, they were split into two groups. The CRET group consisted of nine horses that underwent four therapy sessions over a two-week span. The SHAM group was also composed of nine horses and given a sham treatment, where the CRET device was switched off during their respective sessions.
  • Data Collection: The study administered clinical examinations and used accelerometry, a method of biomechanical assessment, before and after the four sessions. It should be noted that the horses were still undergoing their regular training and competing actively throughout the duration of this study. No other therapeutic procedures were employed during this time.
  • Statistical Testing: Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare data between the SHAM and CRET groups. Meanwhile, the Wilcoxon Matched Pair tests were used to evaluate data before and after the CRET sessions.

Findings

Following the intervention, the CRET group experienced an increase in dorsoventral, mediolateral, and total power, indicative of enhanced back flexibility. However, the SHAM group did not show any such improvements. In either group, no changes were detected in the dorsoventral displacement of the gravity centre.

The study discovered a significant decrease in thoracolumbar pain and muscle pain following the treatment. Specifically, thoracolumbar pain reduced by one degree after CRET treatment and showed no change after the sham treatment. Meanwhile, the muscle pain decreased two degrees after CRET, and only one degree after SHAM.

Conclusion

The results suggested that CRET could indeed benefit horses suffering from thoracolumbar pain, enhancing their back flexibility and alleviating associated pain. The SHAM group was useful as a control that lacked the CRET treatment, showing no such advantages. Thus, this therapy could be seen as an effective tool in equine sports medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Argüelles D, Becero M, Muñoz A, Saitua A, Ramón T, Gascón E, Sánchez de Medina A, Prades M. (2020). Accelerometric Changes before and after Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy in Horses with Thoracolumbar Pain Compared to a SHAM Procedure. Animals (Basel), 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122305

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Argüelles, David
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
Becero, Mireya
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
  • Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
Muñoz, Ana
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
  • Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
Saitua, Aritz
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
Ramón, Toni
  • Physiotherapy and Osteopathy Equine Practice, 08913 Barcelona, Spain.
Gascón, Eduard
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
Sánchez de Medina, Antonia
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
Prades, Marta
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 43 references
  1. Denoix J.-M.D.. Spinal biomechanics and functional anatomy.. Veter Clin. N. Am. Equine Pr. 1999;15:27–60.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30162-1pubmed: 10218240google scholar: lookup
  2. Peham C., Frey A., Licka T., Scheild M.. Evaluation of the EMG activity of the long back muscle during induced back movements in stance.. Equine Vet. J. 2001;33:165–168.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05382.xpubmed: 11721561google scholar: lookup
  3. Wennerstrand J., Johnston C., Roethlisberger-Holm K., Erichsen C., Eksell P., Drevemo S.. Kinematic evaluation of the back in the sport horse with back pain.. Equine Veter J. 2004;36:707–711.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044848226pubmed: 15656501google scholar: lookup
  4. Stubbs N.C., Riggs C.M., Hodges P.W., Jeffcott L.B., Hodgson D.R., Clayton H.M., Mc Gowan C.M.. Osseous spinal pathology and epaxial muscle ultrasonography in Thoroughbred racehorses.. Equine Veter J. 2010;42:654–661.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00258.xpubmed: 21059076google scholar: lookup
  5. Brown K., Davidson E.J., Ortved K.F., Ross M.W., Ms D.S., Wulster K.B., Levine D.G.. Long-term outcome and effect of diagnostic analgesia in horses undergoing interspinous ligament desmotomy for overriding dorsal spinous processes.. Veter Surg. 2020;49:590–599.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13377pubmed: 31916622google scholar: lookup
  6. Trager L.R., Funk R.A., Clapp K.S., Dahlgren L.A., Werre S.R., Hodgson D.R., Pleasant R.S.. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy raises mechanical nociceptive threshold in horses with thoracolumbar pain.. Equine Veter J. 2020;52:250–257.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13159pubmed: 31393628google scholar: lookup
  7. Ranner W., Gerhards H., Klee W.. Diagnostic validity of palpation in horses with back problems.. Berl. Munch. Tierarztl. Wochenschr. 2002;115:420–424.
    pubmed: 12481647
  8. Munroe G.A.. The investigation of back pathology: The clinical examination.. In: Henson M.D., editor. Equine Back Pathology: Diagnosis and Treatment. Blackwell Publishing; Chichester, UK: 2009. pp. 67–73.
  9. Clayton H.. Equine back pain reviewed from a motor control perspective.. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2012;8:145–152.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP12023google scholar: lookup
  10. Tashiro Y., Hasegawa S., Yokota Y., Nishiguchi S., Fukutani N., Shirooka H., Tasaka S., Matsushita T., Matsubara K., Nakayama Y.. Effect of Capacitive and Resistive electric transfer on haemoglobin saturation and tissue temperature.. Int. J. Hyperth. 2017;33:696–702.
    doi: 10.1080/02656736.2017.1289252pubmed: 28139939google scholar: lookup
  11. Hernández-Bule M.L., Paíno C.L., Trillo M.Á., Úbeda A.. Electric Stimulation at 448 kHz Promotes Proliferation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.. Cell. Physiol. Biochem. 2014;34:1741–1755.
    doi: 10.1159/000366375pubmed: 25427571google scholar: lookup
  12. Yokota Y., Tashiro Y., Suzuki Y., Tasaka S., Matsushita T., Matsubara K., Kawagoe M., Sonoda T., Nakayama Y., Hasegawa S.. Effect of Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer on Tissue Temperature, Muscle Flexibility, and Blood Circulation.. J. Nov. Physiother. 2017;7:1000325.
    doi: 10.4172/2165-7025.1000325google scholar: lookup
  13. López-De-Celis C., García C.H., Pérez-Bellmunt A., Fanlo-Mazas P., González-Rueda V., Tricás-Moreno J.M., Ortiz S., Rodríguez-Sanz J.. Thermal and non-thermal effects off capacitive-resistive electric transfer application on the Achilles tendon and musculotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius muscle: A cadaveric study.. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 2020;21:46.
    doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-3072-4pmc: PMC6971989pubmed: 31959172google scholar: lookup
  14. Yokota Y., Sonoda T., Tashiro Y., Suzuki Y., Kajiwara Y., Zeidan H., Nakayama Y., Kawagoe M., Shimoura K., Tatsumi M.. Effect of Capacitive and Resistive electric transfer on changes in muscle flexibility and lumbopelvic alignment after fatiguing exercise.. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 2018;30:719–725.
    doi: 10.1589/jpts.30.719pmc: PMC5940481pubmed: 29765189google scholar: lookup
  15. Becero M., Saitua A., Argüelles D., De Medina A.L.S., Castejón-Riber C., Riber C., Muñoz A.. Capacitive resistive electric transfer modifies gait pattern in horses exercised on a treadmill.. BMC Veter Res. 2020;16:10.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-2233-xpmc: PMC6953297pubmed: 31918723google scholar: lookup
  16. Wennerstrand J., Gómez-Álvarez C.B., Meulenbelt R., Johnston C., Van Weeren P.R., Roethlisberger-Holm K., Drevemo S.. Spinal kinematics in horses with induced back pain.. Veter Comp. Orthop. Traumatol. 2009;22:448–454.
    doi: 10.3415/vcot-08-09-0088pubmed: 19876520google scholar: lookup
  17. Aujol K., Burgaud I., Biau S.. Impacts of Osteopathic Treatment on the Locomotion of Sport Horse. Proceedings of the 37th Journée de la Recherche Equine; le Pin au Haras, France. 24 February 2011; pp. 207–210.
  18. Calvo-Santasmases A., Manso-Díaz. G., López-Sanromán F.J., Gómez-Cisneros D., Forés P.. Correlación entre datos clínicos, signos radiológicos y acelerometría en patologías del dorso equino. Proceedings of the XVII Congreso Internacional de Medicina y Cirugía Equina; Sevilla, Spain. 6–7 December 2016; pp. 111–112.
  19. Denoix J., Dyson S.. Thoracolumbar spine.. In: Ross M., Dyson S., editors. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. 1st ed. Elsevier Science; St. Louis, MO, USA: 2003. pp. 509–521.
  20. Zimmerman M., Dyson S., Murray R.. Close, impinging and overriding spinous processes in the thoracolumbar spine: The relationship between radiological and scintigraphic findings and clinical signs.. Equine Veter. J. 2012;44:178–184.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00373.xpubmed: 21880062google scholar: lookup
  21. Osti R., Pari C., Salvatori G., Massari L.. Tri-length laser therapy associated to tecar therapy in the treatment of low-back pain in adults: A preliminary report of a prospective case series.. Lasers Med. Sci. 2015;30:407–412.
    doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1684-3pubmed: 25376670google scholar: lookup
  22. Diego I.M.A., Fernández-Carnero J., Val S.L., La Cuerda R.C.-D., Lobo C.C., Piédrola R.M., Oliva L.C.L., Rueda F.. Analgesic effects of a capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency in patients with myofascial chronic neck pain: A pilot randomized controlled trial.. Rev. Assoc. Méd. Bras. 2019;65:156–164.
    doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.65.2.156pubmed: 30892438google scholar: lookup
  23. Coccetta C.A., Sale P., Ferrara P.E., Specchia A., Maccauro G., Ferriero G., Ronconi G.. Effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.. Int. J. Rehabil. Res. 2019;42:106–111.
    doi: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000324pubmed: 30362981google scholar: lookup
  24. López-Sanromán F., Holmbak-Petersen R., Santiago I., De Segura I.G., Barrey E., De Segura I., Álvarez G.. Gait analysis using 3D accelerometry in horses sedated with xylazine.. Veter J. 2012;193:212–216.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.10.012pubmed: 22082509google scholar: lookup
  25. Barrey E.. Biomechanics of locomotion in the athletic horse.. In: Hinchcliff K.W., Kaneps A.J., Geor R.J., editors. Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery-Basic and Clinical Sciences of the Equine Athlete. 2nd ed. Saunders Elsevier; Philadelphia, PA, USA: 2014. pp. 189–211.
  26. Argüelles D., Saitua A., De Medina A.S., Muñoz J.A., Muñoz A.. Clinical efficacy of clodronic acid in horses diagnosed with navicular syndrome: A field study using objective and subjective lameness evaluation.. Res. Veter Sci. 2019;125:298–304.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.07.018pubmed: 31351199google scholar: lookup
  27. Saitua A., Becero M., Argüelles D., Castejon-Riber C., De Medina A.S., Satué K., Muñoz A.. Combined Effects of Water Depth and Velocity on the Accelerometric Parameters Measured in Horses Exercised on a Water Treadmill.. Animals. 2020;10:236.
    doi: 10.3390/ani10020236pmc: PMC7070311pubmed: 32028600google scholar: lookup
  28. Barrey E., Evans S.E., Evans D.L., Curtis R.A., Quinton R., Rose R.J.. Locomotion evaluation for racing in Thoroughbreds.. Equine Veter J. 2001;33:99–103.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05369.xpubmed: 11721580google scholar: lookup
  29. Barrey E., Desliens F., Poirel D., Biau S., Lemaire S., Rivero J.L., Langlois B.. Early evaluation of dressage ability in different breeds.. Equine Veter J. 2002;34:319–324.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05440.xpubmed: 12405708google scholar: lookup
  30. Leleu C., Bariller F., Cotrel C., Barrey E.. Reproducibility of a locomotor test for trotter horses.. Veter J. 2004;168:160–166.
    doi: 10.1016/S1090-0233(03)00109-6pubmed: 15301764google scholar: lookup
  31. Weishaupt M.A., Wiestner T., Hogg H.P., Jordan P., Auer J.A., Barrey E.. Assessment of gait irregularities in the horse: Eye vs. gait analysis.. Equine Veter J. 2001;33:135–140.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05376.xpubmed: 11721554google scholar: lookup
  32. Frigerio M.A., Gómez Cisneros D., Santiago Llorente I., Manso-Díaz G., López-Sanromán J.. A kinematic comparison of the locomotor pattern of horses sedated with detomidine alone and in combination with low doses of butorphanol.. Equine Veter. J. 2019;51:825–830.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13098pubmed: 30866108google scholar: lookup
  33. Barrey E., Galloux P.. Analysis of the equine jumping technique by accelerometry.. Equine Veter J. 2010;29:45–49.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05052.xpubmed: 9354288google scholar: lookup
  34. Leleu C., Gloria E., Renault G., Barrey E.. Analysis of trotter gait on the track by accelerometry and image analysis.. Equine Veter J. 2002;34:344–348.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05445.xpubmed: 12405713google scholar: lookup
  35. Riccio B., Fraschetto C., Villanueva J., Cantatore F., Bertuglia A.. Two Multicenter Surveys on Equine Back-Pain 10 Years a Part.. Front. Veter Sci. 2018;5:195.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00195pmc: PMC6115529pubmed: 30191152google scholar: lookup
  36. Holm K.R., Wennerstrand J., Lagerquist U., Eksell P., Johnston C.. Effect of local analgesia on movement of the equine back.. Equine Veter J. 2010;38:65–69.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406775374351pubmed: 16411589google scholar: lookup
  37. Barrey E., Biau S.. Locomotion of dressage horses.. In: Lindner A., editor. The Elite Dressage and Three-Day Event Horse. Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science, 2002. Arbeitsgruppe Pferd; Jülich, Germany: 2003. pp. 17–32.
  38. Kumaran B., Watson T.. Treatment using 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency improves pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A randomised controlled trial.. Physiotherapy. 2019;105:98–107.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2018.07.004pubmed: 30269963google scholar: lookup
  39. Paolucci T., Pezzi L., Centra M.A., Porreca A., Barbato C., Bellomo R.G., Saggini R.. Effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with painful shoulder impingement syndrome: A comparative study.. J. Int. Med Res. 2020;48:0300060519883090.
    doi: 10.1177/0300060519883090pmc: PMC7783264pubmed: 31680597google scholar: lookup
  40. Zimmerman M., Dyson S.J., Murray R.. Comparison of radiographic and scintigraphic findings of the spinous processes in the equine thoracolumbar region.. Equine Veter J. 2011;52:661–671.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01845.xpubmed: 21699620google scholar: lookup
  41. Cousty M., Retureau C., Tricaud C., Geffroy O., Caure S.. Location of radiological lesions of the thoracolumbar column in French trotters with and without signs of back pain.. Veter Rec. 2010;166:41–45.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.c70pubmed: 20064977google scholar: lookup
  42. Faber M., Johnston C., Weeren P.R., Barneveld A.. Repeatability of back kinematics in horses during treadmill locomotion.. Equine Veter J. 2010;34:235–241.
    doi: 10.2746/042516402776186010pubmed: 12108740google scholar: lookup
  43. Duñabeitia I., Arrieta H., Torres-Unda J., Gil J., Santos-Concejero J., Gil S.M., Irazusta J., Bidaurrazaga-Letona I.. Effects of a capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy on physiological and biomechanical parameters in recreational runners: A randomized controlled crossover trial.. Phys. Ther. Sport. 2018;32:227–234.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.05.020pubmed: 29870922google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Calle-González N, Rivero JL, Olivares J, Miró F, Argüelles D, Requena F, Munoz A. Assessing thermal changes in the equine thoracolumbar region following different capacitive-resistive electrical transfer protocols. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1570120.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1570120pubmed: 40470277google scholar: lookup
  2. Argüelles D, Saitua A, Miraz R, Calle-González N, Requena F, Nocera I, Vitale V, Sgorbini M, Muñoz A. The application of a single session of capacitive resistive electric transfer 24 h before exercise modifies the accelerometric pattern in standardbred racing trotters. BMC Vet Res 2024 May 22;20(1):217.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04039-2pubmed: 38773549google scholar: lookup
  3. Canet-Vintró M, Rodríguez-Sanz J, López-de-Celis C, Hidalgo-García C, Oviedo GR, Rodríguez-Rodríguez S, Pérez-Bellmunt A. Changes in the Sprint, Vertical Jump and Quadriceps Strength after a Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy Intervention-A Randomized Clinical Trial. Sports (Basel) 2024 Jan 22;12(1).
    doi: 10.3390/sports12010036pubmed: 38275985google scholar: lookup
  4. Benito M, Jasny T, Roger V, Pflieger C, Grandjean D. Short-Term Efficacy of Capacitive-Resistive Electrical Transfer Therapy in Short-Haired Sled Dogs in Middle-Distance Competition. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 14;12(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12243530pubmed: 36552450google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,824 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.