Accelerometric Changes before and after Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy in Horses with Thoracolumbar Pain Compared to a SHAM Procedure

Abstract

Capacitive resistive electric transfer (CRET), a radiofrequency at 448 kHz, increases flexibility in quadricep muscles of human athletes. To assess whether CRET would result in clinical and biomechanical improvements in horses with thoracolumbar pain, 18 sport horses were divided into two groups: CRET (n = 9), subjected to four CRET sessions, during two consecutive weeks, and SHAM (n = 9), subjected to the same procedure with the device off. Clinical examination and accelerometry were performed before and after the four sessions. During the study, horses were in training and in active competition, and did not receive any other treatment. Mann-Whitney and a Wilcoxon matched pair tests were used to compare between the SHAM and CRET groups and before and after the intervention, respectively. CRET horses showed increased dorsoventral (p < 0.002), mediolateral and total power (p < 0.01) after the intervention, suggesting increased back flexibility. SHAM horses did not show any of these modifications after the intervention. No changes were found in the dorsoventral displacement of the gravity center in either group. Thoracolumbar pain decreased one degree after CRET (p = 0.002), and it did not change after SHAM. Epaxial muscle pain decreased two degrees after CRET (p = 0.03) and one degree after SHAM (p = 0.01). These results reflected that CRET therapy would increase back flexibility and decrease thoracolumbar and epaxial pain.

Short-Term Efficacy of Capacitive-Resistive Electrical Transfer Therapy in Short-Haired Sled Dogs in Middle-Distance Competition

“…It is important to note that, although only a short-term response has been determined in this study, CRet therapy may help canine patients with acute lower back pain maintain satisfactory functional status during middle-distance sled dog races. Given the recognized mechanisms of action for CRet in horses [ 19 , 20 ], longer-term benefits in dogs would not be surprising. Further studies could clarify the long-term effectiveness of CRet as well as compare results due to changes in intensity, the number of sessions and the combined effect of CRet with other therapies.…”

“…The device used was an Indiba ® AH-100 (Indiba Animal Health S.A., Barcelona, Spain), operating at a radio frequency of 448 kHz ( Figure 4 a), using two different modes on the active electrode: capacitive (CAP) and resistive (RES) [ 12 , 19 ]. The capacitive phase took up the first 4 min of the session (IAS 3–4), followed immediately by 10 min for the resistive phase of the monopolar capacitive-resistive therapy (IAS 3–4), and ending with 4 min of resistive phase (IAS 2).…”

“…The capacitive phase took up the first 4 min of the session (IAS 3–4), followed immediately by 10 min for the resistive phase of the monopolar capacitive-resistive therapy (IAS 3–4), and ending with 4 min of resistive phase (IAS 2). The IAS scale (INDIBA Analogic Scale) is a scale specific to the device, which measures the increase in thermal energy in the tissue after the application of the current [ 19 ]. In order to ensure good contact was made, a contact liquid ( Figure 4 b) was used (Proionic VET ® Lotion, Indiba Animal Health, Barcelona, Spain).…”

“…These described physiological effects of CRet could benefit the field of sport, which is why its use has been extended to other sporting species. Thus, research carried out in horses by authors such as ARGÜELLES [ 19 ] and BECERO [ 20 ] demonstrated its positive influence on the increase in muscle power, as well as changes in gait patterns, with the consequent improvement in performance. CRet has been shown in both humans and horses to provide short-term relief through its thermal and electrical effects [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 20 ], thereby improving muscle recovery after fatigue and helping to maintain adequate muscle flexibility and correct spinal alignment [ 21 ].…”

The application of a single session of capacitive resistive electric transfer 24 h before exercise modifies the accelerometric pattern in standardbred racing trotters

“…Radiofrequency is within the electromagnetic spectrum, in the range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz [ 1 , 2 ]. In recent years, several companies have developed systems with frequencies between 0.3 MHz (300 kHz) and 1 MHz.…”