Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of elastic therapeutic tape to modulate nociception in horses with naturally occurring thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain.

Animals

Twenty-two horses with naturally occurring thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain.

Procedures

A randomized crossover design study was used to evaluate the efficacy of elastic therapeutic tape compared to control tape application to modulate pain in the thoracolumbar region. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) were assessed using a pressure algometer immediately prior to and following tape removal and sequentially at 24 and 48 h after tape removal.

Results

Mechanical nociceptive threshold values were significantly (P < 2e-16) different following both elastic therapeutic tape and control tape application at all sites across all time points compared to baseline values. The percent difference in MNT values for the elastic therapeutic tape application ranged from a 15–26 % difference from baseline across the time points at all sites. The percentage difference in MNT values for the control tape application ranged from (-)4–8 % from baseline across the time points at all sites.

Clinical relevance

The outcomes of this study demonstrate that the application of an elastic therapeutic tape at 30 % tension significantly modulates thoracolumbar pain in horses.