Biological response of extracorporeal shock wave therapy to tendinopathy in vivo (review)

Peritendinous adhesion: Therapeutic targets and progress of drug therapy

Peritendinous adhesion (PA) is one of the most common complications following hand surgery and characterized with abnormal hyperplasia of connective tissue and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Subsequently, various clinical symptoms such as chronic pain, limb dyskinesia and even joint stiffness occur and patients are always involved in the vicious cycle of "adhesion - release - re-adhesion", which seriously compromise the quality of life. Until present, the underlying mechanism remains controversial and lack of specific treatment, with symptomatic treatment being the only option to relieve symptoms, but not contributing no more to the fundamentally rehabilitation of basic structure and function. Recently, novel strategies have been proposed to inhibit the formation of adhesion tissues including implantation of anti-adhesion barriers, anti-inflammation, restraint of myofibroblast transformation and regulation of collagen overproduction. Furthermore, gene therapy has also been considered as a promising anti-adhesion treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of anti-adhesion targets and relevant drugs to summarize the potential pharmacological roles and present subsequent challenges and prospects of anti-adhesion drugs.

The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for knee osteoarthritis : an umbrella review

BACKGROUND

An umbrella review was conducted to compare the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) versus non-ESWT in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of science were searched up to September 2023. Literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction were performed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of outcome indicators was performed using Revman 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of eight meta-analysis were included in this umbrella review. All meta-analysis were graded against a Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) and scored between 8 and 11. Compared to the sham group, the ESWT group showed better results in WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) [mean difference (MD)=-2.94, 95% CI: -5.52, -0.37, P=0.03, I²=60%], Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (MD=-2.0, 95% CI: -2.5, -1.5, P<0.01, I²=0%), range of motion (ROM) (MD=17.55, 95% CI: 13.49, 21.61, P<0.00001, I²=0%), and Lequesne index (MD=-2.85, 95% CI: -3.64, -2.07, P<0.00001, I²=48%).

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of our analysis, ESWT is now an effective therapy for improving pain and function in patients with KOA.

Topical Treatment Is Effective and Safe for Acute Ankle Sprains: The Multi-Center Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled TRAUMED Trial

BACKGROUND

Topical NSAIDs are widely used to treat ankle sprains. Traumed (Tr14) gel is a multicomponent formulation, demonstrating inflammation-resolution properties.

METHODS

This multicenter, double-blind trial investigated the efficacy and safety of Tr14 gel versus placebo gel and non-inferiority versus 1% diclofenac gel, applied 3×/day for 7 days after acute lateral ankle sprain (EudraCT Number: 2016-004792-50). The primary outcome was AUC for pain on passive movement, assessed by VAS from baseline to Days 4 and 7.

RESULTS

The trial population included 625 patients aged 18 to 78 years. The AUC scores were 187.88 and 200.75 on Day 4 (p = 0.02) and 294.14 and 353.42 on Day 7 (p < 0.001) for Tr14 and placebo, respectively. For Tr14 compared to diclofenac, the AUC scores were 187.50 and 197.19 on Day 4 (p = 0.3804) and 293.85 and 327.93 on Day 7 (p = 0.0017), respectively. On the FAAM-ADL subscale, Tr14 was superior to placebo and non-inferior to diclofenac at all time points. Time to 50% pain improvement was lowest for Tr14 (6.0 days), compared to placebo (7.1 days) and diclofenac (7.0 days). Adverse events were uncommon and minor.

CONCLUSIONS

Tr14 gel is effective and safe in acute ankle sprains, compared to placebo gel and diclofenac gel, and has faster pain resolution.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered in clinicaltrialsregister.eu, EudraCT number 2016-004792-50 on 07.06.2017.

Clinical trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorders: a retrospective and preclinical assessment

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the progression of clinical and preclinical trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorders.

Background

CMT has historically been managed symptomatically and with genetic counseling. The evolution of molecular and pathologic understanding holds a therapeutic promise in gene-targeted therapies.

Methods

ClinicalTrials.gov from December 1999 to June 2022 was data extracted for CMT with preclinical animal gene therapy trials also reviewed by PubMed search.

Results

The number of active trials was 1 in 1999 and 286 in 2022. Academic settings accounted for 91% and pharmaceutical companies 9%. Of the pharmaceutical and academic trials, 38% and 28%, respectively, were controlled, randomized, and double-blinded. Thirty-two countries participated: the United States accounted for 26% (75/286). In total, 86% of the trials were classified as therapeutic: 50% procedural (21% wrist/elbow surgery; 22% shock wave and hydrodissection therapy), 23% investigational drugs, 15% devices, and 11% physical therapy. Sixty-seven therapeutic trials (49%) were designated phases 1-2 and 51% phases 3-4. The remaining 14% represent non-therapeutic trials: diagnostic testing (3%), functional outcomes (4%), natural history (4%), and standard of care (3%). One-hundred and three (36%) resulted in publications. Phase I human pharmaceutical trials are focusing on the safety of small molecule therapies (n = 8) and AAV and non-viral gene therapy (n = 3). Preclinical animal gene therapy studies include 11 different CMT forms including viral, CRISPR-Cas9, and nanoparticle delivery.

Conclusion

Current CMT trials are exploring procedural and molecular therapeutic options with substantial participation of the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Emerging drug therapies directed at molecular pathogenesis are being advanced in human clinical trials; however, the majority remain within animal investigations.

Research progress in extracorporeal shock wave therapy for upper limb spasticity after stroke

Spasticity is one of the most common complications after stroke. With the gradual intensification of spasticity, stroke patients will have a series of problems such as joint ankylosis and movement restriction, which affect the daily activities and increase the burden on patients' families, medical staff and society. There are many ways to treat post-stroke spasticity before, including physical therapy and exercise therapy, drug therapy, surgery and so on, but not satisfied because of a few shortcomings. In recent years, many researchers have applied extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of post-stroke spasm and achieved good clinical effect, because it is non-invasive, safe, easy to operate, low cost and other advantages compared with other treatment methods. This article reviews the research progress and existing problems of ESWT in the treatment of post-stroke spasticity.