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Therapeutic Modalities

Effect of Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Canine Postoperative Hemilaminectomy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Summary:

Intervertebral disc disease is one of the leading causes of paralysis in dogs. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has been advocated for improving wound healing and pain reduction; however, robust clinical trials are lacking. The present prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated targeted PEMF therapy administered to 53 client-owned dogs who underwent hemilaminectomyfor naturally occurring disk extrusion intervertebral disc disease.

Conclusion:

No untoward effects were recorded in either treatment group. More frequent evaluation of outcome measures with larger patient numbers, as well as histologic samples, may be useful in future studies. Dogs receiving PEMF therapy following postoperative hemilaminectomy demonstrated improved wound scores at 6 wk and reduced mean number of owner-administered pain medications compared with the control group therapy.

Author & Journal:Alvarez LX, et al, J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2019; 55:83-91
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Low-level laser irradiation induces in vitro proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells

Summary:

To evaluate the effect of low-level laser irradiation on the proliferation and possible nuclear morphological changes of mouse mesenchymal stem cells.

Conclusion:

Low-level laser irradiation stimulated the proliferation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells without causing nuclear alterations. The biostimulation of mesenchymal stem cells using laser therapy might be an important tool for regenerative therapy and tissue engineering.

Author & Journal:Augusto Galvão Barboza,Carlos, et al, eintstein, 2014
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The thermal effects of therapeutic lasers with 810 and 904 nm wavelengths on human skin.

Summary:

To investigate the effect of therapeutic infrared class 3B laser irradiation on skin temperature in healthy participants of differing skin color, age, and gender.

Conclusion:

The thermal effects of LLLT at doses recommended by WALT-guidelines for musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions are negligible (<1.5°C) in light, medium, and dark skin. However, higher LLLT doses delivered with a strong 3B laser (200 mW) are capable of increasing skin temperature significantly and these photothermal effects may exceed the thermal pain threshold for humans with dark skin color.

Author & Journal:Joensen J, et al, Photomed Laser Surg 2011:29(3):145-153
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Rehabilitation of dogs with surgically treated cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifles by use of electrical stimulation of muscles.

Summary:

To determine effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on rate and degree of return to function of the limb and development of degenerative joint disease (DJD) after surgical creation and subsequent stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament(CrCL)-deficient stifle.

Conclusion:

Improved lameness scores, larger thigh circumference, and decreased radiographically apparent bony changes observed for the treated group of dogs support the hypothesis that dogs treated by EMS after surgical stabilization of the CrCL-deficientstifle had improved limb function, with less DJD, than did dogs treated with the currently accepted clinical protocol of cage rest and slow return to normal activity. However, results of force plate evaluation did not support the hypothesis. Increased meniscal damage in dogstreated by EMS may be cause for concern.

Author & Journal:Johnson JM, et al, Am J Vet Res 58:1473-1478, 1997
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Effect of Pulsing in Low-Level Light Therapy

Summary:

Low level light (or laser) therapy (LLLT) is a rapidly growing modality used in physical therapy, chiropractic, sports medicine and increasingly in mainstream medicine. LLLT is used to increase wound healing and tissue regeneration, to relieve pain and inflammation, to prevent tissue death, to mitigate degeneration in many neurological indications. While some agreement has emerged on the best wavelengths of light and a range of acceptable dosages to be used (irradiance and fluence), there is no agreement on whether continuous wave or pulsed light is best and on what factors govern the pulse parameters to be chosen.

Conclusion:

There is some evidence that pulsed light does have effects that are different from those of continuous wave light. However further work is needed to define these effects for different disease conditions and pulse structures.

Author & Journal:Hashmi JT, et al, Lasers Surg Med 2010;42:450-466
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Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic tendinopathies.

Summary:

Many clinical trials have evaluated the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treating patients with chronic tendinosis of the supraspinatus, lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fasciitis. Although extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been reported to be effective in some trials, in others it was no more effective than placebo. The multiple variables associated with this therapy, such as the amount of energy delivered, the method of focusing the shock waves, frequency and timing of delivery, and whether or not anesthetics are used, makes comparing clinical trials difficult. Calcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus and plantar fasciitis have been successfully managed with extracorporeal shock wave therapy when nonsurgical management has failed.

Conclusion:

Results have been mixed in the management of lateral epicondylitis, however, and this therapy has not been effective in managing noncalcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has consistently been more effective with patient feedback, which enables directing the shock waves to the most painful area (clinical focusing), rather than with anatomic or image-guided focusing, which are used to direct the shock waveto an anatomic landmark or structure.

Author & Journal:Sems A, et al, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 14:195-204, 2006
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Emerging modalities in veterinary rehabilitation.

Summary:

Many new modalities have been introduced in human and veterinary physical rehabilitation. In many instances, there is sound theory of how they may impact the physiology of various cells, tissues, or organs.

Conclusion:

This article reviews some of the modalities that have been introduced recently in human and veterinary rehabilitation. Topics include low-level laser, phototherapy, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment.

Author & Journal:Millis DL, et al, Vet Clin Small Anim 35:1335-1355, 2005
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Low level laser therapy for tendinopathy: evidence of a dose-response pattern

Summary:

This review assessed the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain from tendinopathy. The authors concluded that LLLT can reduce pain in subacute and chronic tendinopathy if a valid treatment procedure and location-specific dose is used. Differences among the studies were not examined and only the short-term outcomes were assessed. The authors’ conclusions may not be reliable.

Conclusion:

Thirteen RCTs with sixteen treatment comparisons were included (n approximately 789).

Nine RCTs using optimal laser treatment dose and power density found that LLLT reduced pain in patients with sub-acute and chronic tendinopathy compared with control (WMD 32%, 95% CI: 23, 41).

Nine RCTs using optimal laser treatment dose and power density and 4 RCTs not using optimal treatment parameters found that LLLT reduced pain compared with control (WMD 22%, 95% CI: 5.9, 36.1). There was a statistically significant difference between RCTs using optimal laser treatment dose and power density and those RCTs not using optimal treatment parameters (P<0.001).

The funnel plots suggested there was potential for some publication bias.

Author & Journal:Bjordal JM, et al, Phys Therapy Rev 2001;6:91-99
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The evaluation of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in naturally occurring osteoarthritis of the stifle joint in dogs.

Summary:

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has expanded from the original uses of human urinary calculi treatment to veterinary orthopaedic applications. This paper investigates the feasibility and efficacy of treating dogs with osteoarthritis of the stifle joint with ESWT.

Conclusion:

The subjective data provided by client questionnaire did not show significant difference between groups.

Author & Journal:Dahlberg J, et al, Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 18(3): 147-52, 2005
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