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Acupuncture and heaves
Horses with heaves do not benefit from a single acupuncture treatment, according to research carried out in Michigan State University.
A study conducted in the College of Veterinary Medicine at East Lansing, found that a single acupuncture treatment was no better at making horses with heaves breathe better than simply handling and patting them.
The research team assessed the effect of a single acupuncture treatment by an experienced veterinary acupuncturist. They also assessed the effect of a single treatment by a vet with no experience of acupuncture, but simply following a set treatment protocol or recipe. Finally they assessed the effect of simply handling and patting the horses but giving no acupuncture treatment.
A study conducted in the College of Veterinary Medicine at East Lansing, found that a single acupuncture treatment was no better at making horses with heaves breathe better than simply handling and patting them.
The research team assessed the effect of a single acupuncture treatment by an experienced veterinary acupuncturist. They also assessed the effect of a single treatment by a vet with no experience of acupuncture, but simply following a set treatment protocol or recipe. Finally they assessed the effect of simply handling and patting the horses but giving no acupuncture treatment.
For the study, they used horses that would develop reversible signs of heaves when stabled on straw and fed hay. Once the horses were showing typical signs of heaves, one of the three treatments was administered. The experienced acupuncturist decided which acupuncture points to use after examining the horse. The acupuncture points used were chosen specifically for each horse depending on the clinical signs. The inexperienced practitioner merely treated set acupuncture points that had been chosen beforehand. All horses received the same recipe treatment, regardless of their individual signs.
Treatments were given in random order at monthly intervals. After each treatment the researchers measured a number of variables to assess lung function - such as the maximum change in intra-thoracic pressure (DPpl max ) The difficulty breathing that is seen in heaves is associated with an increase in DPpl max to more than 25cm H2O. Tidal volume, peak inspiratory and expiratory flow rates were also recorded.
The researchers detected an improvement in lung function 1-2 hours after treatment. However this occurred in all horses regardless of treatment (or no treatment). There was a reduction in airway resistance, lower respiratory rate and reduced DPpl max . They wondered if the improvement was due to moving the horses from the dusty stable to the clean air of the laboratory where the measurements were taken.
So they conducted a further investigation, in which the horses were either kept in the stable or turned out in a paddock during the test. There was no difference in response. That is there was no improvement in lung function simply due to breathing clean air for 4 hours. So they concluded that the improvement in the original test was due to the placebo effect of handling and patting the horses.
Assessment of the results showed that a single acupuncture treatment had no benefit over simply handling the horse, regardless of whether the treatment was given by an experienced practitioner or not. The study did not investigate whether a course of acupuncture would have an effect.
Treatments were given in random order at monthly intervals. After each treatment the researchers measured a number of variables to assess lung function -
The researchers detected an improvement in lung function 1-
So they conducted a further investigation, in which the horses were either kept in the stable or turned out in a paddock during the test. There was no difference in response. That is there was no improvement in lung function simply due to breathing clean air for 4 hours. So they concluded that the improvement in the original test was due to the placebo effect of handling and patting the horses.
Assessment of the results showed that a single acupuncture treatment had no benefit over simply handling the horse, regardless of whether the treatment was given by an experienced practitioner or not. The study did not investigate whether a course of acupuncture would have an effect.
For more details see: The effects of a single acupuncture treatment in horses with severe recurrent airway obstruction. DV Wilson, C Lankenau, CE Berney, DL Peroni, DR Mullineaux, NE Robinson. Equine Vet Journal (2004) 36, 489 - 494.
Report by Mark Andrews.