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A recent study published on August 21, 2024, in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1424373) investigates the potential of localized vibration (LV) therapy as a non-invasive intervention for canine hip dysplasia (HD). Authored by Turner et al., this research provides preliminary evidence that LV, delivered via a handheld device, may reduce pain and improve functional outcomes in dogs with bilateral HD. Here’s a professional summary for animal rehab practitioners.

Study Design and Methodology

The study enrolled 37 client-owned dogs across the USA, Canada, and New Zealand, with a confirmed veterinary diagnosis of bilateral HD and recent hip radiographs. Dogs ranged from 1 to 13 years (mean 7.1 years) and 9.2 to 72.7 kg (mean 30.5 kg), predominantly representing medium to large breeds (e.g., Herding, Sporting, and Working groups). Exclusion criteria included prior surgical interventions like total hip replacement or femoral head ostectomy.

Participants used a commercially available handheld vibration device (PawWave Buzz, Pado Inc.) at 120 Hz and 1 mm amplitude, applied for 10 minutes per hip daily over 14 consecutive days. Owners were trained via video and written instructions, with compliance supported by daily reminder emails. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), a validated tool for assessing chronic pain, was used to measure pain severity (4 questions) and interference (6 questions) at baseline and daily throughout the study. Radiographs were scored (1-3: mild, moderate, severe) by a co-author (SOC) using an OFA-derived system to assess HD severity.

Statistical analysis employed repeated measures ANOVA with Dunnett’s test to evaluate changes in CBPI scores at days 0, 7, and 14, supplemented by logistic regression to explore predictors of response (defined as reduced pain severity and interference scores).

Key Results

Pain Severity: Significant reductions in CBPI pain severity scores were observed at day 7 (p=0.0001) and day 14 (p<0.0001) compared to baseline. Daily scores showed significant decreases from day 11 onward (e.g., p=0.0041 at day 14).

Pain Interference: Interference scores for activities (general activity, rising, walking, running, climbing) decreased significantly by day 7 and further by day 14 (e.g., p

Response Rate: 62% (23/37) of dogs responded by day 7, increasing to 73% (27/37) by day 14. Of early responders, 91% maintained response through day 14, while 43% of initial non-responders responded by study end.

Predictors: Baseline pain severity and interference scores were higher in responders (e.g., 3.61 vs. 2.36 for pain severity at day 7), suggesting greater benefit in dogs with more pronounced symptoms, though multivariate analysis fell short of significance (p=0.0522). Age, sex, weight, and HD severity showed no predictive effect.

Clinical Implications

HD remains a prevalent cause of lameness and osteoarthritis in dogs, with conventional management—analgesics, surgical options, and rehabilitation—often limited by side effects, cost, or accessibility. This study builds on limited prior research on whole-body vibration (WBV) in canine HD, which demonstrated benefits like increased hindlimb muscle mass and pain reduction (Gomes et al., 2023; Martins et al., 2023). LV offers advantages over WBV, including targeted application, portability, and home-use potential, potentially enhancing compliance and cost-efficacy.

The observed reductions in CBPI scores suggest LV could serve as an adjunctive therapy, particularly for dogs with moderate to severe pain. The lack of adverse effects aligns with WBV safety data in healthy dogs, supporting LV as a low-risk option.

Limitations and Future Directions

The study’s primary limitations include its non-blinded, non-controlled design, raising concerns about placebo effects or owner bias. Compliance relied on unsupervised owner application, potentially introducing variability. The absence of a sham group or non-HD cohort limits causal inference, and the 14-day duration precludes insight into long-term efficacy.

Future research should prioritize randomized, blinded, controlled trials, potentially using third-party application to mask treatment allocation. Incorporating objective measures (e.g., force plate gait analysis, serial orthopedic exams) alongside CBPI could strengthen findings. Larger cohorts, extended treatment periods, and exploration of LV for other orthopedic conditions (e.g., cranial cruciate ligament disease) are warranted. Assessing optimal frequency, amplitude, and duration of LV therapy could further refine its clinical utility.

Practical Considerations 

LV therapy, as tested with the PawWave device, presents a novel, owner-administered option for HD management. At 20 minutes daily, it’s feasible for client integration into multimodal plans, potentially alongside NSAIDs or physical therapy. Veterinarians might consider recommending LV for dogs with radiographic HD and clinical signs refractory to conservative care, particularly given its non-invasive nature. However, client education on device use and realistic expectations—pending further validation—is critical.

Conclusion

This pilot study provides initial support for LV as a safe, accessible intervention for canine HD, with significant reductions in pain and functional impairment over 14 days. While promising, its findings must be interpreted cautiously due to methodological constraints. For veterinary professionals, LV represents an emerging tool worthy of monitoring as research progresses, potentially enhancing quality of life in HD-affected patients through a practical, home-based approach.

Reference:

Turner KF, Canapp SO Jr, Canapp DA, Sutton AM, Canapp A, Jimenez IA, Gerardi J. Client-based evaluation of the effects of localized vibration therapy on pain and mobility scores in dogs with radiographic bilateral hip dysplasia. Front Vet Sci. 2024 Aug 21;11:1424373.