The efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in treating post-stroke spasticity: A systematic review / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment in cases of post-stroke spasticity.Methods:Reports of randomized and controlled trials of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in treating post-stroke spasticity were searched for in the PubMed, Embase and China Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The subsequent meta-analysis was carried out using version 5.3 of the RevMan software.Results:Twelve reports were found involving a total of 536 patients. The meta-analysis showed significant immediate and short-term effects of extracorporeal shock waves in treating spasticity in the finger flexors, wrist flexors, and biceps brachii after stroke. However, no significant improvement was observed in the treatment of wrist or lower limb spasticity.Conclusion:Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can effectively relieve some post-stroke spasticity safely. It can be used as an auxiliary treatment with many patients.