Thermal, mechanical and electrical stimuli in antinociceptive studies in standing horses: an update

Miguel Gozalo-Marcilla, Stelio Pacca Loureiro Luna, Frank Gasthuys, Stijn Schauvliege

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To perform a literature review of the thermal and mechanical antinociceptive devices used in pharmacological studies in standing horses published after 2011 (2012-2019). To complete a full literature review about electrical stimulation used for evaluation in similar studies.

DATABASES USED: PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science.

CONCLUSIONS: A high level of standardization has been reached in antinociceptive studies in standing horses using thermal and mechanical stimuli in most recent years. Commercially available testing devices to deliver thermal, mechanical and electrical stimuli, with observation of aversive responses to these stimuli, are reliable, sensitive and specific. For electrical stimulus testing, there is evidence that the resistance between the electrodes should be measured and should not exceed 3 kΩ to guarantee consistent and reproducible stimuli. The specific analysis of electromyographic activity after an electrical stimulus provides more detailed information about the neurons stimulated.

Original languageEnglish
JournalVeterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Early online date13 Oct 2019
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 13 Oct 2019

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