Whole body vibration affects the cross‐sectional area and symmetry of the m. multifidus of the thoracolumbar spine in the horse

Abstract

Summary Whole body vibration (WBV) has been used as an adjunctive therapy to improve the strength and size of paraspinal muscles as well as postural control in people with lower back pain. It has been proposed that activation of the m. multifidus plays a key role. As the function and anatomy of the m. multifidus in the horse is comparable to that in man, the authors investigated whether WBV might also be a valuable physiotherapeutic modality in horses. The effects of WBV on the cross‐sectional area (CSA) and left to right symmetry of the m. multifidus at various locations of the thoracolumbar spine of the horse was evaluated in a single‐subject quasi‐experimental time‐series design with repeated measure. Nine horses were subject to WBV, 30 min, twice daily, 5 days a week, for 60 days in addition to their regular exercise routine. The CSA of the left and right m. multifidus was measured ultrasonographically at four levels (T15–T16, T16–T17, T18–L1 and L1–L2) along the thoracolumbar spine at Days −30, 0, 30 and 60 of the study. Changes in the CSA and CSA symmetry (left to right) of the m. multifidus were analysed using nonparametric, repeated measures, comparison of mean ranks with post‐hoc analysis as necessary. A significant increase (P<0.05) in m. multifidus CSA was found at all spinal levels after 30 and 60 days of WBV and a statistically significant improvement in m. multifidus symmetry (becoming more symmetrical) was found after 60 days of WBV, indicating that WBV may be a valuable alternative to dynamic mobilisation exercises when an increase in size and improvement in left to right symmetry of the m. multifidus is sought.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy raises mechanical nociceptive threshold in horses with thoracolumbar pain

“…It is also possible that the addition of physiotherapy during the study period as well as a longer treatment duration may have influenced CSA of the multifidus . Recent studies in horses have demonstrated an increase in multifidus CSA over a period of 60 and 90 days . In both, either dynamic mobilisation or whole body vibration therapy was performed throughout the study duration.…”

“…Recent studies in horses have demonstrated an increase in multifidus CSA over a period of 60 and 90 days . In both, either dynamic mobilisation or whole body vibration therapy was performed throughout the study duration. Although our final ultrasound was performed on day 65 in our study, the treatment period was only 35 days.…”

“…Atrophy of the epaxial musculature, including the iliocostalis , longissimus and spinalis muscles, is recognised in conjunction with back pain . Recently, rehabilitation of the spinalis multifidus muscle, a deep spinal stabiliser, has become a focus of targeted physiotherapy due to documented atrophy ipsilateral to osseous spinal pathology .…”

Aplicabilidade dos Exercícios de Vibração de Corpo Inteiro como nova ferramenta da Medicina Veterinária

“…20,21 Additionally, a significant outcome in muscle symmetry and hypertrophy was observed in horses with back pain. 23 Positive outcomes of WBVE as a therapeutic adjuvant or modality in animals have been promising, warranting further study. On the other hand, WBVE may provide no benefits or negative effects, as observed in two studies on immediate effects of WBVE sessions which presented no significance difference in hindlimb of lame horses and in temperature of the feet of penguins with bumblefoot.…”

“…Effects of WBVE sessions were shown on the multifidus muscle in nine horses with clinical signs of back pain associated with lameness. 23 WBVE protocol was 30 minutes, twice a day, five days a week for 60 days. Lameness was subjectively evaluated by a veterinarian and ultrasound images were used to measure the cross-section area of the multifidus muscle, captured at days 0, 30 and 60 of treatment.…”