Whole body vibration affects the cross‐sectional area and symmetry of the <i>m. multifidus</i> of the thoracolumbar spine in the horse
Authors: Halsberghe B. T., Gordon‐Ross P., Peterson R.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Whole Body Vibration and Equine Spinal Muscle Development Whole body vibration therapy has demonstrated efficacy in human physiotherapy for strengthening paraspinal musculature and improving postural stability in lower back pain patients, with the multifidus muscle identified as a key target. Given the functional and anatomical parallels between equine and human multifidus morphology, Halsberghe and colleagues examined whether this modality might translate to equine rehabilitation by measuring multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) and left-right symmetry ultrasonographically across four thoracolumbar vertebral levels in nine horses exposed to 30-minute WBV sessions twice daily, five days weekly for 60 days. Significant CSA increases were documented at all measured spinal levels by day 30 (P<0.05), with gains maintained through day 60, whilst meaningful improvements in left-right symmetry—indicating more balanced muscle development—emerged specifically after the full 60-day protocol. For equine practitioners seeking to address muscular atrophy, asymmetry, or back dysfunction, these findings suggest WBV warrants consideration as an adjunctive or alternative tool to dynamic mobilisation exercises, particularly in horses with limited tolerance for ridden work or those requiring rehabilitation from injury.
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Practical Takeaways
- •WBV may offer a time-efficient alternative to dynamic mobilisation exercises for horses requiring paraspinal muscle development and symmetry correction
- •Treatment response appears to require 30+ days to manifest; consider as adjunctive therapy alongside regular exercise rather than standalone treatment
- •Ultrasound monitoring at multiple thoracolumbar levels can objectively track treatment efficacy and guide rehabilitation progression
Key Findings
- •Whole body vibration produced significant increases in m. multifidus cross-sectional area at all four thoracolumbar spinal levels (T15-T16, T16-T17, T18-L1, L1-L2) by day 30 and day 60 (P<0.05)
- •Statistically significant improvement in left-to-right m. multifidus symmetry was demonstrated after 60 days of WBV treatment
- •WBV protocol of 30 minutes twice daily, 5 days per week for 60 days was effective without adverse effects reported