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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(2); 301; doi: 10.3390/ani10020301

The Effect of Kinesiotape on Flexion-Extension of the Thoracolumbar Back in Horses at Trot.

Abstract: Kinesiotape theoretically stimulates mechanoreceptive and proprioceptive sensory pathways that in turn may modulate the neuromuscular activity and locomotor function, so alteration of activation, locomotion and/or range of motion (ROM) can be achieved. The aim of this study was to determine whether kinesiotape applied to the abdominal muscles would affect the ROM in flexion-extension (sagittal plane) in the thoracolumbar back of horses at trot. The study design was a paired experimental study, with convenient sample. Each horse was randomly placed in the control or the intervention group and then the order reversed. Eight horses trotted at their own preferred speed in hand on a straight line, 2 × 30 m. Optical motion capture was used to collect kinematic data. Paired t-tests, normality tests and 1-Sample Wilcoxon test were used to assess the effects of the kinesiotape. No statistical significance (p < 0.05) for changes in flexion-extension of the thoracolumbar back in trot was shown in this group of horses. Some changes were shown indicating individual movement strategies in response to stimuli from the kinesiotape. More research in this popular and clinically used method is needed to fully understand the reacting mechanisms in horses.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-13 PubMed ID: 32069962PubMed Central: PMC7071056DOI: 10.3390/ani10020301Google 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 study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of kinesiotape in improving flexion-extension range of motion in the thoracolumbar back of horses at trot, but found no significant effect. The study employed a paired experimental design involving eight horses where kinematic data was collected using optical motion capture.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to explore the influence of kinesiotape on the range of motion in flexion-extension in the thoracolumbar back of horses at trot. The kinesiotape, which is purported to stimulate mechanoreceptive and proprioceptive sensory pathways, was applied to the abdominal muscles of the horses.

Methodology

  • The study was structured as a paired experimental study involving a conveniently sampled set of eight horses.
  • Each horse was randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group, followed by a switch in the order.
  • The horses were directed to trot on a straight line, to and fro, covering a total distance of 60m.
  • During this process, advanced optical motion capture technology was utilized to gather kinematic data related to the horses’ locomotion.

Statistical Analysis

  • Rigorous statistical tests were applied to the collected data in order to evaluate the effects of the kinesiotape. These tests included paired t-tests, normality tests, and the 1-Sample Wilcoxon test.

Results

  • The study failed to confirm any statistically significant change (p < 0.05) in flexion-extension of the thoracolumbar back in trot as a result of the kinesiotape application.
  • Despite the absence of a statistically strong conclusion, there were observable changes suggesting individual horses might employ varying movement strategies in response to the kinesiotape stimulus.

Conclusion

Based on the outcomes of this study, the authors concluded that further investigation is warranted to fully comprehend how horses respond to the application of kinesiotape. Recognizing these underlying mechanisms could potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy of this popular and clinically used technique.

Cite This Article

APA
Ericson C, Stenfeldt P, Hardeman A, Jacobson I. (2020). The Effect of Kinesiotape on Flexion-Extension of the Thoracolumbar Back in Horses at Trot. Animals (Basel), 10(2), 301. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020301

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
PII: 301

Researcher Affiliations

Ericson, Cajsa
  • Animotion Rehab, Kalles ängsväg 1, 760 15 Gräddö, Sweden.
Stenfeldt, Pernilla
  • Hästrehab i Ängelholm AB, Vanstadsv. 121, 262 91 Ängelholm, Sweden.
Hardeman, Aagje
  • Tierklinik Luesche GmbH, 49456 Luesche, Germany.
  • Dep. of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3512 Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Dep. of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Jacobson, Inger
  • Division of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden.

Conflict of Interest Statement

VetkinTape, by THYSOL Group BV, The Netherlands supplied the kinesiotape used in this study. VetkinTape played no role in the study design, analysis and interpretation of data. The authors do not have any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the study.

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