A SCINTIGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION OF MAGNETIC-FIELD THERAPY ON THE EQUINE3RD METACARPUS

Scintigraphy was performed in the vascular, soft tissue and bone phase to demonstrate increased blood flow resulting from the local applicat ion of a permanent magnetic pad on the equine third metacarpus using a cross-over trial in eight horses. The results of the vascular phase s howed a highly significant (p <0.01) increase in counts associated wit h magnet application. An increase in counts results from increased blo od flow carrying more radionuclide to the area investigated. Fifteen o f the sixteen limbs tested showed an increased vascular response. The soft tissue phase had a highly significant response (p = 0.01) with th irteen of the sixteen limbs showing increased activity. The bone phase also had a highly significant response (p <0.01) with fourteen of the sixteen limbs showing increased activity. This study shows that the E quinepad(R) applied to the third metacarpus of the horse increases the circulation and metabolic activity of the soft tissue and bone. These effects show some variability in degree and occur in the majority of limbs tested.