SynthesisOpen veterinary journal2025
Efficacy of acupuncture in racehorses: A review.
Synthesis in Open veterinary journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Thermosensitive Chitosan/Gelatin Hydrogels in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine: A Prospective Review on Modernizing Acupoint Embedding.Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Racehorses endure high physical demands, which often result in musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and reduced performance. Although conventional therapies are effective, competition-related drug regulations restrict their use. Acupuncture, rooted in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, has gained interest as a non-pharmacological alternative for managing pain, enhancing recovery, and promoting overall welfare in equine athletes. This review aims to critically evaluate the current evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture in racehorses, focusing on musculoskeletal pain management, post-exercise recovery, performance outcomes, and welfare implications. Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were identified, and a narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria targeted original research on acupuncture or electroacupuncture in racehorses or comparable high-performance equines, with outcomes related to pain relief, recovery, or athletic performance. A total of 9 studies met the eligibility criteria, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and mechanistic reviews. Most studies have reported the beneficial effects of acupuncture on thoracolumbar pain, muscle tension, gait abnormalities, and metabolic recovery. Electroacupuncture was highlighted for its effectiveness in treating deep muscle conditions by modulating pain pathways and reducing inflammation. Observational reports also showed improvements in soreness, appetite, and demeanor after training. However, the treatment protocols, sample sizes, and outcome measures of the studies varied. The limited inclusion of objective performance metrics, such as heart rate variability and race outcomes, restricts the generalizability of the results. Acupuncture has potential as an adjunctive intervention for managing musculoskeletal conditions and the enhancement of recovery in racehorses. Despite encouraging findings, methodological inconsistencies and a paucity of high-powered, controlled trials limit the existing body of research. Future investigations should prioritize the implementation of standardized treatment protocols and the incorporation of objective, quantifiable outcome measures to substantiate their integration into evidence-based equine sports medicine.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.