BEMER® physical vascular therapy in horses under training.

Expressed in the conclusion of this study:

Conclusions
In horses, we did not find a significant effect of BEMER® physical vascular therapy on recovery rate of hematological, biochemical blood and behavioral parameters within 1 h after moderate exercise. We possibly suggest that horses undergoing BEMER® physical vascular therapy presented a higher vagal activity, being perhaps more relaxed than control subjects. A substantial improvement in recovery after exercise was not confirmed…

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Effects of BEMER® physical vascular therapy in horses under training. A randomized, controlled double blind study
Res Vet Sci. 2022 Jan 24;144:108-114. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.01.017. Online ahead of print.
Authors
Francesca Dai 1 , Emanuela Dalla Costa 2 , Alessia Giordano 3 , Eugenio U L Heinzl 4 , Piermario Giongo 5 , Grazia Pagnozzi 5 , Simona Cannas 2 , Giulietta Minozzi 2 , Michela Minero 2
Affiliations

1 Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy. Electronic address: dr.francesca.dai@gmail.com.
2 Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
3 Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
4 Direzione Sicurezza, Sostenibilità e Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via S. Sofia 9, 20122 Milano, Italy.
5 Clinica Veterinaria di San Siro, Via Lampugnano 99, 20151 Milano, Italy.

PMID: 35114491
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.01.017

Abstract

Horses preparation for competition may cause psychological and physical stress. Physical vascular therapy BEMER® is reported to increase vasomotion and microcirculation, supporting body healing. This study aimed at assessing whether BEMER® physical vascular therapy in horses influences recovery rate of hematological and biochemical blood parameters within 1 h after moderate exercise and reduces stress measured by physiological and behavioral indicators. This prospective, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study included twelve warmblood horses (3 mares, 8 geldings, 1 stallion). Additionally to their daily work, horses were subjected to 15 min of exercise on a longe. Horses were randomly divided in two groups: A (n = 6), B (n = 6). Group A underwent first to BEMER® blanket for two weeks, then to Placebo blanket for two weeks. Group B did the opposite. Blood samples, thermographic infrared images, Heart Rate Variability and behavior were analyzed. ANOVA was used to investigate any treatment effect. After two weeks of treatment, although not statistically significant, hematocrit (%) measured immediately post exercise was lower in horses undergoing BEMER® treatment (48.30% ± 3.21) than both No blanket (51.15% ± 3.57) and Placebo blanket (49.58% ± 5.77). While wearing BEMER® blanket and after treatment, horses had a lower LF/HF ratio compared to other groups, although this difference was not statistically significant. These results possibly suggest an effect of BEMER® therapy on vagal activity and relaxation. Substantial progress in recovery after exercise was not confirmed, leading to the need for further investigation on the overall effect of BEMER® therapy.

Keywords: Exercise; Horse; Physical vascular therapy; Welfare.