The Effect of Kinesiotape on Flexion-Extension of the Thoracolumbar Back in Horses at Trot

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Weak back muscles and back pain are commonly seen in horses today; these problems are often caused by poor training techniques and lead to other problems such as poor performance, lameness, and pain. Veterinary treatment and/or rehabilitation is a necessity. Kinesiotaping is a commonly used treatment method in equine physiotherapy sand veterinary rehabilitation. The method theoretically stimulates the sensory pathways from the taped region that in turn modulates the neuromuscular activity and locomotor function to improve locomotion and/or range of motion (ROM). The aim of this study was to determine if kinesiotape applied to the abdominal muscles, with the intention of activating them as back flexors, would affect the ROM in flexion-extension (sagittal plane) of the thoracolumbar back of the trotting horse. Eight horses, aged 5–15 years, were included and were trotted on a straight line, 2 × 30 m, with and without kinesiotape. The differences between the two conditions were measured by an optical motion capture using reflective markers placed along the thoracolumbar spine. No statistical significance was shown between the two groups of horses; although some horses showed individual changes indicating that kinesiotape may have affected those horses. The evidence base for rehabilitation and training methods is essential, and more research is needed to understand whether there is any potential benefit of the kinesiotape. ABSTRACT: Kinesiotape theoretically stimulates mechanoreceptive and proprioceptive sensory pathways that in turn may modulate the neuromuscular activity and locomotor function, so alteration of activation, locomotion and/or range of motion (ROM) can be achieved. The aim of this study was to determine whether kinesiotape applied to the abdominal muscles would affect the ROM in flexion-extension (sagittal plane) in the thoracolumbar back of horses at trot. The study design was a paired experimental study, with convenient sample. Each horse was randomly placed in the control or the intervention group and then the order reversed. Eight horses trotted at their own preferred speed in hand on a straight line, 2 × 30 m. Optical motion capture was used to collect kinematic data. Paired t-tests, normality tests and 1-Sample Wilcoxon test were used to assess the effects of the kinesiotape. No statistical significance (p < 0.05) for changes in flexion-extension of the thoracolumbar back in trot was shown in this group of horses. Some changes were shown indicating individual movement strategies in response to stimuli from the kinesiotape. More research in this popular and clinically used method is needed to fully understand the reacting mechanisms in horses.