Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Dynamic Mobilization Exercises on Equine Multifidus Muscle Cross-Sectional Area.

Authors: Lucas Raquel Gómez, Rodríguez-Hurtado Isabel, Álvarez Carla Troteaga, Ortiz Gustavo

Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103934 PubMed: 35307551Log in to save

Summary

Back pain in horses frequently leads to epaxial muscle atrophy that persists even after the initial pain resolves, compromising spinal stability and predisposing to further injury. Gómez and colleagues compared two physiotherapy interventions in eight horses (four per treatment group), applying either neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to the epaxial muscles or dynamic mobilization exercises (DME) involving controlled cervical flexion, extension and lateral bending movements, with both protocols delivered across 28 sessions over seven weeks. Ultrasonographic assessment of multifidus cross-sectional area at three thoracolumbar sites revealed significant increases at T12 and L2 vertebral levels, with NMES producing an 18.65% increase and DME achieving a 13.41% increase in muscle mass. Both modalities proved effective at restoring multifidus bulk, suggesting that practitioners might strategically employ either approach—or combine them—depending on individual horse circumstances and availability of equipment during rehabilitation programmes. These findings provide evidence-based support for multifidus-targeted therapy in horses recovering from back dysfunction, though the small sample size warrants confirmation in larger cohorts before drawing definitive conclusions about relative efficacy.

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Practical Takeaways

•Both electrical stimulation and dynamic mobilization exercises effectively increase multifidus muscle size in horses; NMES shows slightly greater gains (18.65% vs 13.41%) and requires less handler involvement
•A 7-week program of either treatment can help restore muscle function after back pain resolves, supporting spine stabilization and reducing recurrence risk
•Combining NMES and DME may offer synergistic benefits for comprehensive back rehabilitation, though further evidence with larger sample sizes is needed

Key Findings

•NMES produced an 18.65% increase in multifidus muscle cross-sectional area over 7 weeks (28 sessions)
•DME produced a 13.41% increase in multifidus muscle cross-sectional area over 7 weeks (28 sessions)
•Significant increases in CSA were achieved at T12 and L2 spinal levels, but not at T16
•Both NMES and DME are effective modalities for multifidus strengthening and could be combined in back-rehabilitation programs

Conditions Studied

equine back painmultifidus muscle atrophyepaxial muscle dysfunction

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