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Thermographic Results:
The
initial infrared thermograph (See
initial thermograph - animal #5) revealed an increased
thermal gradient over the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral
spine. This thermograph was taken at a setting of 0.5
degrees centigrade per isothermic level. White is the
highest reading and purple is the coldest or lowest level
with a five-degree difference between them. These areas
depicted by the color white were fairly symmetrical except
within the lumbosacral area. In this anatomical area,
there is an increased thermal gradient predominantly on
the left side. These areas of white, gold and yellow reveal
an increased thermal gradient within the tissues that
is indicative of an inflammatory response within.
This
particular animal (#5) was chosen as an example of the
entire study since the response within this animal was
close to the average of animals within the entire study.
This animal also palpated digitally with a slight tenderness
throughout the areas that are depicted by the color white.
After
eight weeks of training without any treatment, the infrared
thermograph of animal number five revealed the following
comparisons to the initial thermograph. (See
infrared thermograph - animal #5 - week 8) There is
an increase within all of the thermal gradients as compared
to the initial findings. The increased thermal gradients
throughout the thoracic spine now continue into the right
shoulder region. Those increased thermal gradients within
the lumbar and lumbosacral areas have increased in intensity
and are now more predominant on the left side continuing
into the gluteal areas. These increases are due to a rigorous
training schedule and are normal for an animal that is
receiving no therapeutic help for this inflammation.
All
ten of the animals that were in the control group depicted
these types of thermographs for the first eight weeks
of the study. They were all becoming increasingly sore
and their thermographs all revealed increases along the
lumbar and sacral spine.
Immediately
after treatment with the Thermotex™ therapy blanket,
there was a huge increase within the thermal gradients
within the tissues. This increase lasted an average of
four to five hours after the treatment was concluded.
These thermographs were done before the initiation of
the study just to establish a baseline of data. During
the study, the animals were always exercised after their
treatment, which also increased the thermal gradients
found within the individual making the duration of effect
impossible to measure.
The
infrared thermograph taken of animal #5 at the conclusion
of the study revealed large decreases within the thermal
gradients along all of the anatomical areas examined.
(See
infrared thermograph - week 14) Within the lumbosacral
spine area there is a remarkable 95% reduction within
the thermal gradients. Clinically, this also corresponds
to insensitivity upon digital palpation. The thoracic
and thoracolumbar spinal areas also experienced a reduction
within the thermal gradients to an extent of a 68% reduction.
This area was also no longer sensitive to digital palpation.
Serum
Chemistry Results:
The
AST levels for the ten animals that served in the control
group were consistently high during the first eight weeks
of the study and then gradually dropped to lower levels
during the last six weeks of the study.
(See
table one data, graph and chart of averages)
Initially,
seven of the ten animals tested with higher than normal
AST levels within the serum. By week eight, eight of the
ten animals depicted AST levels higher than normal. After
the initiation of treatment at week eight, these levels
gradually fell, in all but those animals testing normally,
to a level lower than that found at the eight week tests.
By week fourteen, six of the ten animals were now testing
within normal limits. The results seen within chart one
summarize this data.
Those
animals that initially received treatment for six weeks
and then were left untreated revealed quite different
results within their AST levels.
(See
table two data, graph and chart of averages)
Five
of these ten animals depicted higher than normal AST levels
at the initiation of treatment. Nine of the ten animals
experienced an immediate drop within the first week of
treatment. By week six, seven of the ten animals were
testing within normal AST ranges. After the cessation
of treatments, seven of the ten animals within this group
immediately experienced a rise within the AST levels during
week seven. At fourteen weeks, eight of the ten animals
revealed higher AST levels than those measured initially.
The data graphed on chart two reveals this decline in
AST levels through week six and then a gradual increase
when the use of Thermotex™ blanket was stopped.
The
CK levels followed the same pattern as the AST levels
within the group of ten animals that was used as a control
for eight weeks and then provided treatment.
(See
table three data, graph and chart)
Initially,
five of the ten animals tested within the normal limits
for CK levels in the horse. By week eight, six of the
animals tested with an increase in CK levels over those
initial levels. Over the next six weeks, during treatment
with the Thermotex™ therapy blanket, all ten of the
animals experienced a decline in CK levels. Eight of the
ten animals are now testing within normal limits. The
other two animals could even be considered in the high
normal range.
Chart
three is a summary of all of the averages on a weekly
basis. During the control part of the study, the group
maintained an even level throughout the first 6-8 weeks.
After the initiation of treatment, the CK levels gradually
fell.
When
the animals initially received treatment and then became
the control group, the results mimicked those of the same
AST group.
(See
table four data, graph and chart)
Initially,
only four of the ten animals tested within normal limits
for CK. After six weeks of treatment with the Thermotex™
therapy blanket, six of the ten animals were within normal
limits. By the time fourteen weeks had passed, Seven of
the ten animals exhibited higher than normal levels with
seven of the ten animals also showing increased levels
from the initial testing. Chart four exhibits the gradual
decline in CK levels and then the gradual increase after
treatment protocols have ceased.
The
summary of the blood chemistry analysis revealed that
the AST and CK levels were lower during treatment with
the Thermotex™ therapy blanket.
(See
table five data and graph)
As
depicted on the data table and corresponding graph, the
AST and CK levels increased while the animals were in
training and not receiving treatment with the Thermotex™
therapy blanket and decreased when receiving treatment.
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