Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Treatment in Upper Limb Diseases: A Systematic Review

Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Treatment of Spasticity of Different Aetiologies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Spasticity is a motor disorder characterised by exaggerated movements of the tendons and accompanied by hyperreflexia and hypertonia. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is used as a treatment for spasticity, although more evidence is needed on the effectiveness of this therapy in the treatment of spasticity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness ESWT in the treatment of upper and lower limbs spasticity in both children and adults through different aetiologies. Methods: A systematic search was performed in different databases from inception to December 2023. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the efficacy of ESWT on spasticity using the Modified Ashworth Scale. Results: Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The effect of ESWT on spasticity measured with the Modified Ashworth Scale shows a significant decrease in spasticity in the upper limbs and in the lower limbs in adults with chronic stroke and in children with cerebral palsy, is more effective immediately after application, and maintains its effect up to 12 weeks post treatment. Conclusions: These findings are important for clinical practice since they show evidence that ESWT is effective in reducing spasticity in both children and adults.

Effect of superficial adipose tissue mitochondrial and cellular functionality induced by extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

Due to its regenerative action, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is applied in treating integumentary and musculoskeletal diseases. However, other potential therapeutic interventions are being investigated. It is essential to fully understand its mitochondrial signaling pathway to achieve this, which plays a fundamental role in elucidating the mechanism of action and possible therapeutic interventions. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effect of ESWT on mitochondrial pathways through the relationship between lipolysis and adipocyte apoptosis, as well as cellular functionality. This is a non-randomized case-control clinical trial where obese women received ESWT sessions in the abdominal region, after which tissue samples were collected for histological and immunohistochemical analyses of adipose tissue. The data demonstrated positivity in the expression of mitochondrial markers related to cell apoptosis, such as FIS1 (p < 0.0203) and OPA1 (p < 0.0283), in addition to the positivity of anti-MFN1, responsible for regulating mitochondrial cell proliferation (p < 0.0003). In summary, this study demonstrates that ESWT was able to activate specific mitochondrial signaling pathways, which may be associated with its ability to stimulate lipolysis and apoptosis in superficial adipose tissue. However, no significant improvements in cellular functionality were observed.

Dose dependent effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on pain and function in osteonecrosis of femoral head: A systematic review

Purpose

To investigate the effectiveness of different dosages of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on pain, function and radiographic outcomes in patients with osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH).

Procedure

The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis) guidelines were followed to conduct this review. The systematic literature search was done by using six different electronic databases include MEDLINE (assessed by Pubmed) CENTRAL (Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials), Web of Science, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), Scopus and Science Direct. Retrospective and prospective cohort studies; case control study, randomized clinical trials were included. Screening conducted by two independent authors along with inclusion and exclusion criteria of included studies. The methodological quality assessment for cohort studies and randomized clinical trials was done by using Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale (SEQES) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case control study.

Result

Total 1410 articles were found from various databases. After duplicates removed 450 articles remained. Followed by title and abstract screening 53 articles eligible for full text reading, out of them 13 articles met the inclusion criteria and included in this review.

Conclusion

High energy flux densities of ESWT found to be more effective followed by low and moderate energy flux densities in earlier course of the disease compared to later stages in terms of pain relief, functional improvement and disease progression. Due to high variability among study design, ESWT dosages, patient characteristics and considering the paucity of well conducted studies, the present study cannot be conclusive.

Use of a novel shockwave trode results in better patient acceptance in awake canine patients treated for musculoskeletal disease

Introduction

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is used as a treatment option for several musculoskeletal pathologies in dogs. When performing ESWT using electrohydraulic devices, sedation is commonly recommended due to the noise and discomfort associated with the treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the tolerance of ESWT delivered by a standard or novel trode in awake canine patients with musculoskeletal disease.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective, blinded clinical trial in which dogs with musculoskeletal disease received awake treatment with ESWT with a gradually increasing energy protocol using both standard and novel trodes with an electrohydraulic generator in a randomized fashion. Noise reactivity and tolerance to treatment as measured in number of shocks and energy level achieved were recorded.

Results

Forty client-owned dogs with pathology affecting the hips, stifles, elbows, or shoulders were enrolled. Thirty-three dogs completed all three treatment sessions, three dogs completed two sessions, and four dogs completed one session. There was evidence of improved patient tolerability with the novel trode, based on an increased average number of shocks delivered (n ± SD = 848 ± 334 for novel trode; n ± SD = 767 ± 358 for standard trode; p = 0.0384) and higher average treatment energy level achieved (E ± SD = 6.5 ± 2.5 for novel trode; E ± SD = 5.3 ± 2.8 for standard trode; p = < 0.001). Decreased noise reactivity was found to be positively correlated with tolerability of shockwave treatment (energy level: p = 0.0168; number of shocks: p = 0.0097).

Discussion

Administration of electrohydraulic ESWT is feasible in select awake patients using a gradually increasing energy protocol, and the tested novel shockwave trode is better tolerated than the standard trode. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy of the novel trode, and if gradually increasing energy protocols are clinically equivalent to current standard protocols that employ a consistent energy level.

[Analysis of the effectiveness of various methods of rehabilitation of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common pathology that leads to a persistent decrease in the functioning of the affected limb and, as a consequence, a decrease in the quality of life and work ability of patients. According to various authors, the study of the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation of this pathology is quite widely presented in the literature: surgical, including arthroscopic operations, rehabilitation using various factors of physical therapy, manual and other practices. However, the issue of assessing the effectiveness of movement therapy, both alone and in combination with other therapeutic methods, remains relevant.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic gymnastics procedures, both monotherapy and in combination with manual massage according to the therapeutic method and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome of the shoulder, in order to reduce pain and improve the function of the shoulder joint.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 70 patients whose age was 42.18±10.42 years. Patients were divided into two main groups: group 1 (n=34) and group 2 (n=36). All patients received a course of treatment, including 10 procedures of therapeutic exercises, with recommendations at the end of the course for continuation in the form of independent studies using the proven methodology. The duration of the course of therapeutic exercises (in the form of procedures with a physical therapy instructor and subsequent independent studies) was 30 days. Patients in group 2 were divided into three subgroups: subgroup 2A, in which PH procedures were combined with massage of the cervical-collar area and the upper limb area of the affected side; subgroup 2B, where PH gymnastics was carried out in combination with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) procedures; subgroup 2C - a comprehensive program including LH procedures, manual massage and shock wave therapy.

RESULTS

3 months after the end of the course of rehabilitation measures, patients of all groups showed a significant improvement in scores on the ASES and VAS scales, but there were no reliably significant differences between the results of different groups.

CONCLUSION

The study indicates that movement therapy is an effective method of rehabilitation for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, and conducting complex programs in which PH is combined with other rehabilitation methods (massage, shock wave therapy) doesn't have statistically significant advantages over PH alone within a 3-month observation period.

Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and high-intensity laser therapy on pain, grip strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled study

This study aimed to compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pain, grip strength, and function in patients with lateral epicondylalgia. This prospective randomized controlled study included 42 patients (22 women and 20 men, mean age: 37) divided into 3 groups. The first group received physiotherapy (n = 14), the second received physiotherapy combined with ESWT (n = 14), and the third received physiotherapy combined with HILT (n = 14). All participants underwent 10 physiotherapy sessions for 2 weeks, 5 sessions per week. In addition to physiotherapy, the ESWT group received 4 ESWT sessions, 2 sessions per week, and the HILT group received 4 HILT sessions, 2 sessions per week. The outcomes were pain intensity as assessed by Visual Analog Scale, grip strength by hand dynamometer, and function by the Duruoz Hand Index and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation-Turkish version questionnaire. The participants were assessed at the beginning of the study (T1/week 0), at the end of treatment (T2/2nd week), and at follow-up (T3/6th week). At follow-up (T3), a significant improvement was observed in all outcomes compared to baseline (T1) in all groups (P < 0.05). Inter-group comparison of the mean differences between baseline and end values showed that the HILT group was superior in all outcomes (P < 0.05). This study showed that physiotherapy alone combined with ESWT and HILT positively affected the treatment of lateral epicondylalgia. Physiotherapy combined with HILT was found to be the most effective for improving pain, grip strength, and function. Clinical trial number: NCT674325.

Combined ultrasound guided peritendinous hyaluronic acid (500-730 Kda) injection with extracorporeal shock waves therapy vs. extracorporeal shock waves therapy-only in the treatment of shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tendinopathy. A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCTe) is the most common cause of pain and shoulder dysfunction. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic capacity of exogenous peritendinous hyaluronic acid (HA), and the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwaves therapy (ESWT) in reducing pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the added effects of HA treatment plus ESWT (E-g) or ESWT alone (SC-g), focusing on reduction of self-reported pain and disability of patients with RCTe.

METHODS

Monocentric, randomized open-label clinical trial. Patients' selection, enrollment and interventions were conducted at the Chiparo Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient facility (Lecce, Italy). Patients with a diagnosis of RCTe, were randomly allocated to the E-g or to the SC-g. Participants were assessed for self-perceived pain, and for disability, at baseline, after 30 and 60 days.

RESULTS

Forty adults (mean age 50.8±6.3; 23 woman, 17 men) were enrolled in the study, twenty for each group. During the study, both groups improved their perceived level of disability of the arm (-25.01±2.79; P<0.001), and for pain (-3.13±0.50; P<0.001). A multiplicative effect was demonstrated in the time × treatment interaction for disability (beta±SE beta: 7.40±1.77; P<0.001), and pain (beta±SE beta: 0.95±0.32; P<0.001). Moreover, more patients in the E-g reached the MCID in the outcomes-score compared to SC-g. Lastly, number needed to treat were calculated, for disability: NNT=2 (95% CI: 1-3), and for pain-score: NNT=1 (95% CI: 1-2).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides preliminary evidence that, compared to ESWT alone, the combining ESWT and peritendinous HA-injections, revert disability and reduces shoulder pain faster in patients with RCTe.

How to report parameters and procedures for shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders: A narrative review

Shockwave therapy (SWT) has been successful in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. The limitations of the use of SWT in clinical practice regard a lack of familiarity with the device and the lack of uniformity in information reported in scientific publications. Standardization in the reporting of these parameters could facilitate the reproduction and interpretation of data in future studies. Most studies fail to offer a detailed description of the parameters. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to prepare a report on how to standardize the presentation of this information and serve a reference guide to report physical parameters and procedures of SWT when used on patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The terms were selected from the Medical Subject Headings database of controlled vocabulary. An extensive process of systematic searching of databases was performed, after which experts met and discussed on the main findings, and a consensus was achieved. SWT parameters were described, including the physiological meaning and clinical relevance of each parameter. Also, the description of patient and equipment positioning was added. The consensus-based guideline on how to report SWT parameters for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions was developed to help clinicians and researchers.

Analgesic Effect of Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy in Individuals with Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) on pain, grip strength, and upper-extremity function in lateral epicondylitis. A sample of 40 patients with LE (21 males) was randomly allocated to either the ESWT experimental (n = 20) or the conventional-physiotherapy control group (n = 20). All patients received five sessions during the treatment program. The outcome measures used were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Taiwan version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and a dynamometer (maximal grip strength). Forty participants completed the study. Participants in both groups improved significantly after treatment in terms of VAS (pain reduced), maximal grip strength, and DASH scores. However, the pain was reduced and upper-extremity function and maximal grip strength were more significantly improved after ESWT in the experimental group. ESWT has a superior effect in reducing pain and improving upper-extremity function and grip strength in people with lateral epicondylitis. It seems that five sessions of ESWT are optimal to produce a significant difference. Further studies are strongly needed to verify our findings.

The use of dry needling vs. corticosteroid injection to treat lateral epicondylitis: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

BACKGROUND

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common disease especially at middle age. Different types of treatments have been used to address LE. Corticosteroid (CS) injections and dry needling (DN) are utilized options in the treatment. However, the question of which one is better has not been entirely discussed in the literature. We hypothesized that the use of DN to treat LE would be at least as effective as using CS injections. We compared the pain relief afforded and improvements in functional disability after DN and CS injection.

METHODS

A total of 108 LE patients whose pain was not relieved by 3 weeks of first-line treatment were included in a randomized manner, using an online application into DN or CS groups (54 patients each). The minimum follow-up duration was 6 months. We recorded "Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation" (PRTEE) scores before treatment and after 3 weeks and 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

Seven patients were excluded for various reasons; thus, 101 patients were finally evaluated. Before treatment, the groups were similar in terms of age, symptom duration, and PRTEE score, but after treatment, DN-treated patients showed better improvement in the PRTEE score than CS-treated patients (P < .01). Both treatments were effective (both P < .01). From assessments at 3 weeks and 6 months post-treatment, PRTEE scores decreased over time. Four CS-treated patients (7.6%) developed skin atrophy and whitening. One DN-treated patient (2.04%) could not tolerate the pain of the intervention and withdrew from treatment.

CONCLUSION

DN and CS injection afforded significant improvements during the 6 months of follow-up. However, compared with CS injection, DN was more effective.

Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Purpose of Review

Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) is a physical treatment modality developed over the last 25 years for musculoskeletal indications. It has many indications in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and is effective, time-efficient, and cost-efficient. This review focuses on basics and on clinical indications as well as on significant trends in fESWT.

Recent Findings

In PM&R, stimulation of healing processes in tendons, surrounding tissue, and bones via mechanotransduction seems to be a relevant biological effect. The International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST) describes different types of indications (such as approved standard indications—in accordance with most scientific evidence—like calcifying tendinopathy of the shoulder, plantar fasciitis lateral epicondylopathy of the elbow, greater trochanter pain syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy and bone non-union, common empirically tested clinical uses, exceptional or expert indications, and experimental indications).

Summary

fESWT is a relevant treatment option in PM&R and regenerative medicine. In recent years, historical paradigms (for example, application in cancer patients) have changed and new indications (such as nerve regeneration, myofascial trapezius syndrome, low back pain, dermatosclerosis, and lymphedema) are supported. Future translational research should focus on establishing actual exceptional indications and experimental indications for clinical routine.

Functional Outcome at Short and Middle Term of the Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Treatment in Lateral Epicondylitis: A Case-Series Study

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) of the humerus is a chronic degeneration of wrist extensor tendons at their attachments to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. There is not a common consensus on a specific therapeutic algorithm, but Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is widely used. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical benefits of low dose ESWT in LE-affected patients in short and medium follow-up. Between January 2015 and December 2017, 60 patients (38 male, mean age 52.2 ± 10.1 years, the duration of the disease was 3.6 ± 1.3 months) were clinically evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Test (PRTEE-I) scores before treatment, at one, three, six and 12 months after treatment. According to the VAS and PRTEE-I scoring systems, all patients achieved an improvement of pain and functional outcome comparing the baseline results with one, six and 12 months values. Low dose ESWT is a safe and effective treatment of LE in the short and middle term. In elderly subjects, patients with a long disease history, or those with occupational and sportive risk factors, a longer persistence of the symptomatology could be observed.