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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(11); doi: 10.3390/ani15111517

Short-Term Impact of Dry Needling Treatment for Myofascial Pain on Equine Biomechanics Through Artificial Intelligence-Based Gait Analysis.

Abstract: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common source of musculoskeletal pain, characterized by trigger points (TrPs). In horses, MPS is frequently underdiagnosed, and evidence on DN effectiveness is limited. This study investigated whether DN can improve the biomechanics in horses using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based markerless smartphone application (app). Fourteen horses participated, including nine used in assisted therapy, four leisure horses, and one with mixed use. The presence of TrPs was evaluated in six muscles through manual palpation: brachiocephalicus, trapezius, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and quadriceps femoris. The horses were divided into a treatment group (TG) (n = 7) and control group (CG) (n = 7). Biomechanical data were recorded in a straight line at a trot before the treatment (T0), immediately after the treatment (T1), and 72 h post-treatment (T72). The stride frequency (SF) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at 72 h compared with both before and immediately after the treatment. The SF of the TG at 72 h was significantly lower than the SF of the CG at T1 (p < 0.05). Non-significant differences were observed for both the asymmetry push-off and impact phase variables, except for the forelimb head range of motion (FHROM) severity, which was significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the CG than in the TG. This study suggests that DN may enhance the gait quality in horses with MPS.
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Publication Date: 2025-05-22 PubMed ID: 40508982PubMed Central: PMC12153734DOI: 10.3390/ani15111517Google 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 investigates the impact of Dry Needling (DN) on horses suffering from musculoskeletal pain, using an AI-based application to perform gait analysis and monitor changes post-treatment. The study finds that there are potential benefits of DN on horses’ gait quality and biomechanics.

Introduction

The research focuses on horses suffering from Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by trigger points (TrPs). The applicability of Dry Needling (DN), a common physiotherapy technic, in horses is understudied and not fully understood. This study aims to rectify this gap and provide valuable evidence on the effectiveness of DN in improving the biomechanics of afflicted horses. In order to evaluate changes, a novel AI-based markerless smartphone application is utilized for gait analysis.

Method

  • Fourteen horses were involved in the study, nine of which were used in therapy, four kept for leisure and one multi-purpose horse.
  • Each horse was evaluated via manual palpation for the presence of TrPs in six different muscles including brachiocephalicus, trapezius, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and quadriceps femoris.
  • The horses were then segregated into two groups: a treatment group (TG) that numbered 7 horses, and a control group (CG) with an equal count.
  • Using the smartphone application, all horses were recorded trotting in a straight line. This analysis was conducted at three intervals: before treatment (T0), immediately after (T1), and 72 hours post-treatment (T72).

Results

  • The stride frequency (SF) was observed to be significantly lower 72 hours after the treatment as compared to both the before and immediately after treatment times.
  • Further, the SF of the TG was noticeably lesser than that of the CG post 72 hours, indicating a possible impact of the DN treatment.
  • No significant differences were noted in the asymmetry during the impact and push-off phases, except for the Forelimb Head Range of Motion (FHROM) severity. This was observed to be significantly higher in the CG horses.

Conclusion

The research indicates that Dry Needling may have a positive impact on gait quality in horses suffering from MPS. Visible changes in stride frequency in treated horses, as indicated by AI-based gait analysis, provide promising evidence towards the potential benefits of DN treatment in managing musculoskeletal conditions in horses. Further research with larger sample sizes and more variables will help solidify these findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Resano-Zuazu M, Carmona JU, Argüelles D. (2025). Short-Term Impact of Dry Needling Treatment for Myofascial Pain on Equine Biomechanics Through Artificial Intelligence-Based Gait Analysis. Animals (Basel), 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111517

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Resano-Zuazu, María
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
Carmona, Jorge U
  • Grupo de Investigación Terapia Regenerativa, Departamento de Salud Animal, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No 26-10, Manizales 170004, Colombia.
Argüelles, David
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Calatayud-Bonilla M, Carmona JU, Prades M. Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 27;15(15).
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