TITLE:
A Static Bioimpedance and Dynamic Acoustic Myography Preliminary Assessment of Low Frequency Therapeutic Ultrasound Treatment of the Shoulder Muscle Trapezius: An Equine Study
AUTHORS:
Diane lsbell, Sebastian Laguna, Adrian Harrison
KEYWORDS:
Horse, Skeletal Muscle, Acoustic Myography, Low Frequency Ultrasound
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.11 No.4,
April
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: In
horses, therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to be beneficial for suspensory
ligament injuries, and more generally to stimulate tissue repair and reduce
localized pain. However, it has yet to be examined in relation to soft tissue
injuries sustained during competition or in connection with rider/saddle
interactions. Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy
of topical low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound on the shoulder muscles of
injured horses. Methods: Muscle mass and cellular health was assessed for M. trapezius using non-invasive
multi-frequency bioimpedance, and dynamic improvements in M. trapezius and M.
latissimus dorsi were examined using acoustic myography (AMG). A total of 8
injured horses (painful to palpation and atrophied) were treated using an EQ Pro
Therapy unit, following a set protocol that comprised treatment every other day
for 10 treatments. Pre-treatment values were then compared with post-treatment
measurements (1 & 6 months later). Results: The
mfBIA results for M. trapezius showed
a significant improvement (P 0.05) of EQ Pro Therapy treatment for the membrane
capacitance (Mc) and phase angle (PA) parameters when comparing the Pre vs Post 1 and Post 1 vs Post 2 measurements. Similar improvements were seen for
the AMG measurements for M. trapezius and M. latissimus dorsi where
statistically significant improvements in the muscle efficiency (E-score) and
temporal summation (T-score) as well as the spatial summation (S-score) and
mean of the ST-scores were noted (P 0.05 to P 0.01). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that EQ Pro Therapy treatment is efficacious in terms of equine cases
involving soft tissue shoulder muscle injuries (painful to palpation and atrophied). The main improvements noted were not only increased
muscle mass and cellular health but also improved force production,
better coordination, and
lateral balance, which persisted for at least six months after treatment.