Quantification of surface EMG signals to monitor the effect of a Botox treatment in six healthy ponies and two horses with stringhalt: preliminary study.
Abstract: Therapeutic options for stringhalt in horses are limited, whereas medical experiences with botulinum toxin type A (Botox) have been positive. To evaluate its effectiveness in horses, surface electromyography (sEMG) signals before and after injection need to be quantified. Objective: Treatment of healthy ponies and cases with Botox should reduce muscle activity in injected muscles and reduce spastic movements without adverse side effects. Methods: Unilaterally, the extensor digitorum longus, extensor digitorum lateralis and lateral vastus muscles of 6 healthy mature Shetland ponies and 2 talented Dutch Warmblood dressage horses with stringhalt were injected (maximum of 400 iu per pony and 700 iu per case; 100 iu in 5 ml NaCl divided into 5 injections) with Botox under needle EMG guidance. Surface EMG data were evaluated using customised software, and in the individuals gait was analysed using Proreflex. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed models and independent sample t test (P < 0.05). Results: Surface EMG signals were quantified using customised software. The area under the curve (integrated EMG) in time was used as variable. It became significantly reduced in injected muscles after injection of Botox in normal ponies (P < 0.05). This effect was present from Day 1 until Day 84 after injection. In the 2 cases, after injection of 3 muscles, the integrated EMG in time became significantly reduced in all 3 muscles. Kinematic measurements confirmed reduction of frequency and amplitude of hyperflexing or hyperabducting strides of the affected hindlimbs. The duration of effect was also seen in the cases until around 12 weeks after injection. Conclusions: After EMG guided injections of Botox, sEMG signals recorded from injected muscle were reduced, which proves this to be a useful tool in statistically evaluating a treatment effect. The positive results of this pilot study encourage further research with a larger group of clinical cases.
Publication Date: 2009-05-28 PubMed ID: 19469243DOI: 10.2746/042516409x397361Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper is about a preliminary study on the use of Botox for treating stringhalt in horses, with results suggesting it reduces muscle activity and spastic movements without negative side effects.
Understanding the Objective and Methodology
- The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Botulinum toxin type A (commonly known as Botox) treatment in horses suffering from stringhalt, a condition characterized by spastic movements, particularly in the hindlimbs.
- The researchers used surface electromyography (sEMG) to monitor the muscle activity before and after Botox injections, which were guided by needle electromyography (EMG), on six healthy ponies and two Dutch Warmblood dressage horses with stringhalt.
- The muscles targeted for injection were the extensor digitorum longus, extensor digitorum lateralis, and lateral vastus. The dosage was capped at a maximum of 400 international units (iu) per pony and 700 iu per case, divided into five injections.
- The team then analyzed the sEMG data using custom software and studied the ponies’ and horses’ gait using Proreflex.
- Results were subjected to statistical analysis using independent sample t-tests and mixed models.
Observations and Inferences
- The use of integrated EMG (measured as the area under the curve over time) from sEMG signals as a variable revealed a significant reduction in muscle activity in the normal ponies’ injected muscles.
- The effect of Botox was observed from the first day until the 84th day post-injection.
- The two stringhalt-affected Dutch Warmbloods analyzed in the study also demonstrated a marked decrease in muscle activity following Botox treatment.
- The Botox injections also showed success in reducing the frequency and amplitude of abnormally flexed or abducted strides in the hindlimbs. These positive effects lasted for approximately 12 weeks after the injection.
Conclusion and Future Implications
- The study concluded that Botox injections guided by EMG could lead to a significant reduction in muscle activity, validated by sEMG signals, thereby proving its potential in stringhalt treatment.
- Given the promising results of the pilot study, the authors recommend further research with a larger group of clinical cases to endorse the widespread use of Botox in treating stringhalt in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Wijnberg ID, Schrama SE, Elgersma AE, Maree JT, de Cocq P, Back W.
(2009).
Quantification of surface EMG signals to monitor the effect of a Botox treatment in six healthy ponies and two horses with stringhalt: preliminary study.
Equine Vet J, 41(3), 313-318.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x397361 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use
- Electromyography / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
- Male
- Neuromuscular Agents / therapeutic use
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Slavik K, Whitlock R, Johnson A. Equine botulism. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):333-347.
- Turin L, Piccione MM, Crosa F, Dall'Ara P, Filipe J, Zarucco L. Therapeutic Applications of Botulinum Neurotoxins in Veterinary Medicine. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 13;10(7).
- Zsoldos RR, Krüger B, Licka TF. From maturity to old age: tasks of daily life require a different muscle use in horses. Comp Exerc Physiol 2014;10(2):75-88.
- Valentin S, Zsoldos RR. Surface electromyography in animal biomechanics: A systematic review. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2016 Jun;28:167-83.
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