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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(22); doi: 10.3390/ani12223124

Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine in Sport and Companion Animals: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy.

Abstract: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) is increasingly used to treat different types of musculoskeletal conditions in sport and companion animals. To explore the scientific basis for the treatment, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on ECSWT used in horses, dogs, and cats. Methods: Relevant articles published in 1980-2020 were identified from three major databases. Each article was assessed for risk of bias. Results: The review identified 27 relevant articles on the effects of ECSWT in horses, nine in dogs, but none in cats. Typically, ECSWT involved one to three treatment sessions at 1- to 3-week intervals. We identified studies on bone mass and bone healing, wound healing, navicular disease, ligament injury, desmitis, sesamoiditis, tendon injury, osteoarthritis, and short-term analgesic effects. Common to all indications was that the scientific evidence was very limited. For each separate indication, there were relatively few studies, many of which had methodological flaws. Where favorable results were reported, they were usually not replicated in independent studies. A few encouraging results were found. Conclusions: In sport and companion animals, the scientific evidence for clinical effects of ECSWT in horses, dogs, and cats is limited. For some applications, notably short-term pain relief, ligament ailments, and osteoarthritis, the results seem promising and warrant further exploration in high-quality studies.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-12 PubMed ID: 36428352PubMed Central: PMC9686741DOI: 10.3390/ani12223124Google 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.

This research article delves into the exploration of Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) as a treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions in companion and sport animals, specifically horses and dogs. Despite an increasing usage of this method, the article concludes that there is a lack of significant scientific evidence to back up its effectiveness due to, for instance, methodological flaws in studies.

Research Methodology

  • The study was conducted as a systematic review, involving a thorough search for relevant literature from three major databases.
  • The time frame considered for the literature was from 1980-2020.
  • The focus was on articles that explored the use of ECSWT on horses, dogs, and cats.
  • In order to ensure the credibility of the material reviewed, each article was evaluated for potential bias risks.

Research Findings

  • The systematic review found 27 relevant articles related to the effects of ECSWT in horses, and nine with regards to dogs. There were, however, no such articles addressing its impact on cats.
  • In general, the application of ECSWT typically comprised of one to three treatment sessions conducted at 1- to 3-week intervals.
  • Various studies were found that examine ECSWT’s effects on different medical conditions such as bone mass healing, wound healing, navicular disease, ligament injury, desmitis, sesamoiditis, tendon injury, osteoarthritis, and short-term analgesic effects.
  • Yet, across all these applications, there was a noticeable dearth of strong scientific evidence to validate the therapy.
  • Additionally, the studies concerning each separate indication were limited and many of them were identified as having methodological flaws. Successful outcomes reported in some instances were generally not replicated in other independent studies.

Research Conclusions

  • In spite of the low volume of concrete scientific evidence supporting the clinical effects of ECSWT in horses, dogs, and cats, the authors note that there were a few encouraging findings.
  • The most promising results were discovered in relation to short-term pain relief, ligament ailments, and osteoarthritis.
  • However, the authors suggest further investigation through high-quality studies to solidify these initial findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Boström A, Bergh A, Hyytiäinen H, Asplund K. (2022). Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine in Sport and Companion Animals: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. Animals (Basel), 12(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223124

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 22

Researcher Affiliations

Boström, Anna
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Bergh, Anna
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Hyytiäinen, Heli
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Asplund, Kjell
  • Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • SLU.ua.2020.4.2-3148 / SLU Future One Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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