A Randomized, Blinded and Controlled Study Using Digital Thermal Imaging to Measure Temperature Change Associated with Acupuncture in Dogs with Back Pain

Abstract

Digital thermal imaging provides an objective and measurable evaluation of the changes in radiant energy emitted by the body. This study sought to determine the effects of acupuncture immediately after back pain treatment in dogs through digital thermal imaging. Dogs ≥ 6 months exhibiting clinical symptoms of back pain with pain scale 1 or 2 (0-4 scale) were recruited for the study. Subjects (n=24) were randomly assigned to the Acupuncture Group (n=12) which received dry needle acupuncture at GV-14, BL-23 bilateral, Bai-hui and Shen-shu for 15 minutes or the Control Group (n=12) which was not treated but waited 15 minutes. Digital thermal images were obtained before and after the acupuncture treatment (Acupuncture Group) or the waiting period (Control Group) by a person blinded to the group assignments. Maximal temperature was recorded within the affected surface area and absolute change of temperature was compared between study groups. Group comparison of subject signalment data, baseline pain score, and baseline (pre-treatment) temperature (all p-values > 0.05) suggested group comparability for the study. The mean±SD temperature change in the Acupuncture Group was 1.60±0.51°F, and in the Control group was 0.44±0.26°F. The overall temperature change difference between the two subject groups was statistically significant (p = 2.96×10-6). The results from this study indicate that local acupuncture treatment at a site of pain can lead to temperature changes in the location which may have effects on pain reduction. Future studies to investigate the association of acupuncture created temperature change and pain mitigation are warranted.