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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(1); 149-156; doi: 10.1111/evj.13278

Contrast therapy: Tissue heating and cooling properties within the equine distal limb.

Abstract: Rehabilitation of tendon injuries in horses often involves cryotherapy to reduce inflammation and occasionally tissue heating to increase collagen extensibility. The application of alternating cold and hot (ie contrast therapy) is widely used in human physical therapy; however, its utility in equine rehabilitation is largely unknown. Objective: The objectives of this study were to (a) assess if the equipment could achieve therapeutic tissue temperatures (40°C) at different tissue depths relative to the digital flexor tendons and (b) evaluate the time-temperature profiles during serial heating and cooling cycles using a contrast therapy device. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: In 4 adult horses with normal forelimb digital flexor tendons, fine-wire temperature probes were placed superficially on the skin and implanted subcutaneously, deep to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Temperatures were recorded over three complete thermal (hot-cold) cycles. Minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded and the rate of temperature changes and the areas underneath the time-temperature curves (ie thermal load) were calculated. Results: Minimum and maximum tissue temperatures (°C) included: superficial skin [12.6 ± 1.0; 42.4 ± 2.4], subcutaneous tissues [14.1 ± 0.8; 42.3 ± 2.2], deep to the SDFT [15.6 ± 0.8; 41.7 ± 2.6] and deep to DDFT [25.1 ± 2.0; 38.0 ± 3.5]. An initial rapid rate of tissue temperature change between 3.2 and 4.3°C/min occurred within tissues to the depth of the DDFT. Tissue thermal loads during heating ranged from 255 to 607°C*second and from 309 to 780°C*second during tissue cooling, with the lower values noted deep to the DDFT. Conclusions: Unknown clinical efficacy in diseased tissues. Conclusions: The applied contrast therapy was consistently able to induce cooling and heating of tissues to the depth of the DDFT.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-29 PubMed ID: 32386069DOI: 10.1111/evj.13278Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article studies the effectiveness of contrast therapy—alternating application of cold and heat—in treating tendon injuries in horses. It aimed to determine whether the equipment used could achieve the necessary temperatures at various tissue depths and how heat and cold influence these tissues over time.

Objective of the Research

The goal of this research was twofold:

  • To test if the therapy equipment can reach the required therapeutic tissue temperatures (less than 15°C and more than 40°C) at different tissue depths adjacent to the digital flexor tendons.
  • To examine the time-temperature charts during sequential heating and cooling cycles using a contrast therapy device. This study aimed to see how quickly the temperatures change and the overall effect over time (thermal load).

Methodology

The research was conducted in vivo over four adult horses that had normal forelimb digital flexor tendons. The scientists used fine-wire temperature probes to measure temperatures at different depths:

  • Superficially on the skin
  • Below the skin (subcutaneously)
  • Deep to the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT)
  • Deep to the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT).

These temperatures were recorded over three full thermal (hot-cold) cycles. The recorded data included minimum and maximum temperatures, temperature change rate, and total thermal load.

Results

The study found that the contrast therapy equipment could adequately cool and heat tissues at all measured depths. Key findings included:

  • Minimum and maximum tissue temperatures varied according to depth, with the superficial skin experiencing 12.6 ± 1.0 to 42.4 ± 2.4°C, and the area deep to the DDFT experiencing 25.1 ± 2.0 to 38.0 ± 3.5°C.
  • The change in tissue temperature was initially rapid, ranging between 3.2 and 4.3°C/min for all tissue depths.
  • The thermal load during heating ranged from 255 to 607°C*second, and during cooling from 309 to 780°C*second, with the lower values noted deep to the DDFT.

Conclusions

The research concluded that contrast therapy could effectively control tissue temperatures within the equine distal limb. The therapy was able to rapidly alternate between heating and cooling, reaching the necessary therapeutic temperatures deep into the tissue. However, the effectiveness of this method in treating diseased tissues remains an area for further study as it was not part of this research’s focus.

Cite This Article

APA
Haussler KK, Wilde SR, Davis MS, Hess AM, McIlwraith CW. (2020). Contrast therapy: Tissue heating and cooling properties within the equine distal limb. Equine Vet J, 53(1), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13278

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 1
Pages: 149-156

Researcher Affiliations

Haussler, Kevin K
  • Gail Homes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Wilde, Shana R
  • Gail Homes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Davis, Michael S
  • Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
Hess, Ann M
  • Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
McIlwraith, C Wayne
  • Gail Homes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Extremities
  • Forelimb
  • Heating
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
  • Tendons

Grant Funding

  • Equine Orthopaedic Research Fund, Colorado State University
  • USDA Fellowship - USDA-NIFA Animal Health & Disease Research Program Funding
  • Colorado State University

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This article includes 19 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Jacobs CC, O'Neil E, Prange T. Efficacy of a commercial dry sleeve cryotherapy system for cooling the equine metacarpus. Vet Surg 2022 Oct;51(7):1070-1077.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13847pubmed: 35834384google scholar: lookup
  2. 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
  3. 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
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