Pulsed shortwave electromagnetic field therapy increases quality of life in canines with symptoms of osteoarthritics.

BACKGROUND: Joint stiffness, lameness and reduced activity levels are common inflammatory responses observed in canines and have significant impact on quality of life (QOL). The symptoms are often ascribed to osteoarthritis (OA), for which the standard treatment is systemic anti-inflammatories, but pharmacologic intervention can have significant short-term and long-term side effects. OBJECTIVES: Test the efficacy of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) device as a means to modulate vagus nerve activity and initiate a systemic anti-inflammatory response to determine its ability to improve functionality and the QOL of canines with inflammatory symptoms commonly associated with OA. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 14-day study of 60 dogs with a presumptive prior diagnosis of OA in at least one limb joint. Two outcomes assessing changes in the dog's QOL and functionality were measured: subjectively determined changes in eight behaviours associated with discomfort and objectively determined changes in passive range of motion (PROM). The device was secured near the cervico-thoracic region of the dog's spine. PROM measures were taken at baseline and at the end of study. Behavioural measures were taken daily. RESULTS: Forty-nine animals completed the study. No negative side effects were reported. Average subjective discomfort scores for the treatment group (N = 26) were reduced from 3.74 to 2.10 (44%), compared to no improvement in the placebo group (N = 23) over the study period (p = 0.0001). Average PROM scores increased by 5.51 (4.59-6.23) degrees relative to the placebo group (p < 0.01). Ninety-six per cent of the treatment group showed either increased PROM or improved behavioural changes or both, compared to 4% for the placebo group (p < 0.01). Most changes occurred within the first 8 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PSWT applied at the level of the cervico-thoracic spine to target the vagus nerve may have the potential to improve QOL in dogs manifesting behaviours commonly associated with OA.

[Trial of the therapeutic action of ultrashort waves in combination with chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics in chronic endometritis in cows]. / Izpitvane terapevtichnoto deistvie na ultrakusite vulni v kombinatsiia s niakoi khimioterapevtichni sredstva i antibiotitsi vurkhu khronichnite endometriti po kravite.

Ninety cows affected with Endometritis catarrhalis et purulenta chronica, were divided into three groups consisting of thirty cows each and were equalized according to the method of analyses, were treated for experimental purposes following three diagrams. First diagram (30 cows). On the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth days trivitaminol with antibiotic (according to antibioticogram) was inserted through the uterus in a dose of 50 cm3, as well as 20 cm3 of Borgal intramuscularly. Second diagram. Thirty cows were treated only with ultrashort waves. The radiation treatment lasted 10 days and the duration of seances was respectively increased. Third diagram. Another group of thirty cows were treated in a combination of antibiotics, chemotherapeutic preparations and ultra-short waves. As a test, on the basis of which the general status of cows was traced out before and after the treatment, were taken the indices of total protein and protein fractions and the bactericidal activity of the serum, the phagocytic activity of leucocytes, the presence of "C" reactive protein in the serum and the total number of leucocytes and bacteria in the uterine secretion. It was established that the combined medicinal therapy of chronic endometritis in cows, under the effect of ultra-short waves, led to an increased effectiveness of the treatment. The multilateral effect of ultra-short waves reinforced the therapeutic activity of antibiotics and sulphonamides used during the treatment of endometritis. Treatment duration was cut down and fecundity increased.