Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2025; 38(05): A1-A12
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1811999
Equine Podium Presentations

The Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Epaxial Pain in Sport Horses: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Crossover Clinical Trial

Authors

  • Mia Steyn

    1   Equine-Librium College, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Danelle Lederle

    1   Equine-Librium College, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Liebe Smuts

    1   Equine-Librium College, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Marinette Teeling

    1   Equine-Librium College, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Jeanine Watson van Zyl

    1   Equine-Librium College, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Further Information
Also available at
 
 

    Background: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) on epaxial pain in horses. The magnus magnetica PEMF machine is a super pulsed PEMF device, which produces a high power and slow pulse per second magnetic field and facilitates an increased Gauss output and a deeper penetration depth.

    Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blinded, cross-over trial using PEMF was performed. Thirty-one horses were assigned to two treatment groups. One group received a 5-minute treatment, and the other received a 10-minute treatment with a 48-hour washout period between them. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) from 25 sites of the horse’s backs were assessed with pressure algometry (PA) before and after each treatment with PEMF.

    Results: Significant differences were found between baseline and posttreatment measurements for treatment A: SpTh9Left2 (p = 0.001; r = 0.59); SpTh9Right1 (p = 0.011; r = 0.45); SpL6Left1 (p = 0.028; r = 0.39) and treatment B: SpTh13Right1 (p = 0.003; r = 0.53); SpTh19Left1 (p = 0.048; r = 0.36); SpTh18Left2 (p = 0.021; r = 0.42); SpL3Left1 (p = 0.002; r = 0.55); SpL3Left2 (p = 0.001; r = 0.62); SpL3Right2 (p = 0.022; r = 0.41); SpL6Left1 (p = 0.001; r = 0.63). A significant difference was found between treatments for landmarks SpL3Left1 (p = 0.048; r = 0.36) and SpL6Left1 (p = 0.023; r = 0.41).

    Conclusion: The investigators could not show whether the change in MNTs indicated a significant reduction in pain. Currently, there is no evidence to support what amount of increase in MNTs indicates a significant reduction in pain—this should be investigated in future. While the results of this study are promising, further study is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of PEMF on equine pain. Nonetheless, the potential of PEMF as a secure and effective treatment option for equine epaxial pain and addressing common performance inhibitors cannot be overlooked.


     

    No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

    Publication History

    Article published online:
    12 September 2025

    © 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

    Georg Thieme Verlag KG
    Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany