Efficacy and safety of sound wave treatment of recurrent airway obstruction in horses.
BACKGROUND
One proposed nonmedical therapy for recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses is a handheld acoustic device that propels sound waves from the nose down the tracheobronchial tree where it is intended to dislodge mucous and relax bronchospasm, permitting clearance of mucoid secretions.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this device when used as per the manufacturer's recommendations as a treatment for RAO.


METHODS
Nine adult horses previously diagnosed with RAO.


METHODS
Prospective, cross-over clinical trial. Horses were exposed to a dusty environment until airway obstruction developed as defined by standard lung mechanics (SLM). Horses were randomly assigned to receive either acoustic therapy or a sham treatment for 4 weeks while being maintained in this environment. Horses were evaluated by clinical scores, SLM, and forced expiration regularly for 4 weeks. The opposite treatment was administered after a washout period.


RESULTS
Seven horses received the treatment; 9 received the sham. There were no changes (P>.05) in clinical score, maximal change in transpulmonary pressure (ΔPLmax), lung resistance (RL), or the forced expiratory flow rate averaged over the last 75-95% of expiration (FEF75-95%) over the study period. The device was determined to be safe, although several minor adverse effects were noted, including head tossing, coughing, and chewing during treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with this device did not improve clinical signs or lung function in horses with RAO kept in a dusty environment. Currently accepted treatments, including environmental management and medical therapy, should be recommended.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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Goncarovs
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Miskovic Feutz
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Perez-Moreno
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Couetil
D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*