Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China. Written documents concerning veterinary acupuncture has been found dated around 650 B.C. Acupuncture has gained greater acceptance in the western world the last decades and many countries have established their own veterinary acupuncture organizations.

Many studies report good results after acupuncture treatment and back pain in horses is considered a good indication for acupuncture treatment. In studies published, the results are subjectively evaluated. To get a qualitative, scientific evaluation of acupuncture treatment, objective measurements, control groups and statistical analysis are needed.

This pilot study presents a case where acupuncture has been used for treatment in a horse that was diagnosed with back pain. The horse has been treated with acupuncture six times and evaluation has been made before treatment and three times after acupuncture treatment. The evaluation has been made with the aid of kinematic studies on a treadmill. Reflective markers were placed on the horse on the skin above thoracic and lumbar spinous processes. The horse was then studied in walk and in trot on the treadmill and position data for the markers was collected with six infrared cameras. The results from the collections were operated in a computer program to get data for movements and symmetry in flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation of the vertebrae. The symmetry and movements of the back has been compared before and after acupuncture treatment.

The kinematic results of the back showed that the horse, before treatment, had less movement in flexion and extension over T10, T13 and T17 and lower symmetry at lateral bending over L1, L3 and L5 in walk as compared to 33 well-functioning horses earlier studied. Also the symmetry at flexion and extension in trot showed lower values over T13 and T17 before treatment. The results after treatment showed movements and symmetry in the back in level with well-functioning horses.

In the case here reported some positive results seemed to be achieved with acupuncture treatment. More studies involving more horses are needed to get more reliable results. Kinematic studies seem to be a possible objective mean of evaluating the effect of acupuncture treatment.