Musculoskeletal Conditions
Three musculoskeletal conditions were assessed in 4
RCTs (Table 1). For treating chronic laminitis or
navicular disease in horses, electroacupuncture did not
induce significant differences in stride length and weight
distribution, compared with no treatment.26 For treating
wobbler syndrome in dogs, another RCT tested the
effects of electroacupuncture.27 That study indicated
a larger cure rate in the intervention group, but no
formal intergroup analyses were reported (Table 1).
Goldwire and gold bead implants for hip dysplasia in
dogs were tested in 2 further RCTs.28,29 In both trials, the
implants did not significantly improve the clinical signs
of hip dysplasia, compared with results for control
groups, in which the skin was pierced only superficially.
A CCT assessed 3 types of acupuncture for treating
chronic back pain in horses.30 The results are difficult to
interpret because of lack of a no-treatment or placebo
control group. In another CCT, recovery time from
induced spinal cord injury was significantly shorter in
dogs receiving either conventional treatment or acupuncture,
or a combination therapy, compared with no
treatment.18 These findings warrant replication in
a rigorous RCT