Effects of TECAR Therapy on Body Surface Temperature and Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Tone in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Pilot Study.

Overview

• This study investigated the immediate effects of TECAR therapy on body surface temperature and muscle tone of the longissimus dorsi muscle in Thoroughbred racehorses.
• The research found that TECAR therapy significantly increased skin temperature and decreased muscle tone shortly after treatment.

Introduction to TECAR Therapy

• TECAR (Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer) therapy is an emerging modality in equine physiotherapy.
• It involves applying radiofrequency energy to tissues, promoting healing and pain relief through thermal and non-thermal effects.
• Despite its increasing use, there has been limited objective data on how TECAR therapy immediately affects equine back muscles, especially the longissimus dorsi, which plays a key role in horse locomotion and performance.

Study Design and Methods

• Design: Randomized, single-blinded, experimental pilot study.
• Subjects: 20 clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses aged 2-3 years.
• Groups: Horses were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
  • TECAR treatment group (n = 10)
  • Sham-treatment control group (n = 10)
• Measurement points:
  • Before treatment
  • Immediately after treatment
  • 10 minutes post-treatment
• Outcomes measured:
  • Body surface temperature in the thoracolumbar region (vertebrae Th15-L6) using thermographic imaging.
  • Muscle tone of the longissimus dorsi assessed by palpation with a scoring system.
• Statistical analysis:
  • Repeated-measures ANOVA to analyze temperature changes over time and between groups.
  • Friedman’s test with post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for evaluating changes in muscle tone scores.

Key Findings

• Temperature Changes:
  • In the TECAR group, the mean surface temperature increased significantly from an average of 25.3 ± 1.5 °C before treatment to 28.9 ± 1.3 °C immediately after treatment (p < 0.001).
  • Temperature remained elevated at 10 minutes post-treatment (27.6 ± 1.3 °C, p = 0.002 compared to baseline).
  • The sham group showed only minor, non-significant temperature changes.
• Muscle Tone Changes:
  • Palpation scores for muscle tone significantly decreased following TECAR treatment, with median scores dropping from 3 [interquartile range 2-3] before treatment to 0 [0-1] immediately after treatment (p < 0.001).
  • No comparable changes were observed in the sham-treatment group.

Interpretation and Implications

• TECAR therapy produces an immediate and sustained increase in the temperature of the horse’s back surface, indicating enhanced blood flow and tissue heating.
• The associated reduction in muscle tone suggests a relaxing or therapeutic effect on the longissimus dorsi, potentially easing muscle stiffness or tension.
• These immediate physiological effects could be beneficial for equine rehabilitation, performance preparation, or recovery protocols.
• This preliminary evidence supports the objective value of TECAR therapy in equine physiotherapy and encourages further research to:
  • Explore the long-term effects of repeated TECAR treatment.
  • Assess functional and clinical outcomes like performance, pain relief, or injury recovery.
  • Confirm optimal treatment parameters and protocols for racehorses and other equine athletes.

Study Limitations

• The pilot study involved a relatively small sample size (20 horses), limiting statistical power and generalizability.
• Only immediate and short-term (10 minutes post) effects were studied; long-term or cumulative effects remain unknown.
• Muscle tone was assessed subjectively by palpation, which may introduce evaluator bias despite blinding.

Conclusion

• TECAR therapy induces significant immediate thermal and muscle tone changes in the longissimus dorsi muscle of Thoroughbred racehorses.
• The findings provide objective support for using TECAR in equine physiotherapy and set the stage for more comprehensive clinical trials.