Shockwave Therapy Reduces Spasticity After Brain Injury, Study Shows
Authors: Jin-Youn Lee, MD, Soo-Nyung Kim, MD, PhD, In-Sik Lee, MD, PhD, Heeyoune Jung, MD, Kyeong-Soo Lee, PT, MSc, and Seong-Eun Koh, MD, PhD
This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on reducing spasticity in patients with brain injury. The study included five studies from PubMed, TCL, Embase, and Scopus. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess spasticity before and after ESWT. The results showed a significant improvement in MAS grades immediately after ESWT (SMD -0.792) and at four weeks after ESWT (SMD -0.735).
Spasticity is a common problem in patients with brain injury and can lead to pain, discomfort, and limited mobility. ESWT is a non-invasive treatment that uses shock waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain. This study suggests that ESWT can also effectively reduce spasticity in patients with brain injury.
However, the study also notes that further standardization of treatment protocols, including treatment intervals and intensities, is needed. Long-term follow-up studies are also necessary to determine the long-term effects of ESWT on spasticity.
Overall, this study provides evidence for the effectiveness of ESWT in reducing spasticity in patients with brain injury. ESWT offers a non-invasive and potentially effective treatment option for patients with spasticity, which can improve their quality of life and mobility.