Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease in dogs, especially larger, older ones, that worsens over time and causes chronic pain. Approximately 20% of adult dogs suffer from it and 65% of dogs above the age of 7 develop it. Canines suffer more from osteoarthritis due to excessive exercise, injury and certain breeds are predisposed to it. Most predisposed breeds are larger breeds such as Labradors, springer spaniels, German shepherds and golden retrievers.
A study has been undertaken at Plumpton College by Lana Thompson, veterinary nursing student, to assess the effects of Wave Vortex Circulation Therapy, through the use of the TheraPlate, on dogs with osteoarthritis. The aim of the study was to investigate if the TheraPlate would help reduce pain and increase the locomotion in osteoarthritic dogs.
At the start of the study 10 dogs, all diagnosed with osteoarthritis and referred for treatment by a veterinarian surgeon, were measured using the Helsinki Pain Scale on a large variety of movements and activities. This included their ability and willingness to participate in play, eagerness to walk, willingness to walk up and downstairs, ability to run and jump, ease in lying down, rising from a downward position, ease of movement after a long rest and ease of movement post-exercise. The dogs were then sent for VWC (Vortex wave circulation) therapy twice a week for two weeks and the Helsinki Pain Scale was again used to measure the dogs’ pain.
They found that the pain scores of the dogs were significantly affected by the treatment, with the pain scores decreasing on average by 10.5 following the treatment on the TheraPlate. This shows that the TheraPlate was advantageous for these 10 dogs with osteoarthritis in reducing their pain and increasing their ease of movement.
These results of pain reduction in this study were predicted as the VWC technology is thought to stimulate muscle contraction, increase circulation and have no negative impacts on joints, but further studies are needed to confirm this currently.
This study does also align with two studies completed at the University of Mississippi in 2019 on 10 horses to compare bone density and muscle mass before and after box rest. For more information on these studies please click here.
Although the sample size of these studies are small, it is hugely positive to see the benefits that the TheraPlate has been able to offer these animals in a controlled environment. Thousands of people and animals have reported anecdotal improvements following the use of the TheraPlate, so we are confident of its benefits, despite many external factors coming into play in these circumstances. We are looking forward to more studies being completed in the near future to back up the results so many people and animals have felt for themselves.
There are currently several studies that are underway at the moment around the world. If you’re interested in undertaking research using the TheraPlate please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss.
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