A Comprehensive Review of the Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Stroke Patients: Balance, Pain, Spasticity

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, with survivors often experiencing impairments in balance, pain, spasticity, and control that limit their ability to perform daily living activities. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a potential treatment modality to improve these outcomes in stroke patients. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the effects of ESWT on stroke patients, focusing on the theoretical background, balance, pain reduction, muscle spasticity and control, and upper and lower extremities. This study reviewed the use of ESWT in treating balance, pain, and spasticity in stroke patients, focusing on articles published in PubMed between January 2003 and January 2023. Systematic reviews related to stroke were used to provide an overview of stroke, and a total of 33 articles related to balance, pain, and spasticity were selected. ESWT has several shock wave generation methods and application methods, and it has been shown to have positive therapeutic effects on various aspects of rehabilitation for stroke patients, such as improving balance, reducing pain, decreasing muscle spasticity and increasing control, and enhancing functional activities of the upper and lower extremities. The efficacy of ESWT may vary depending on the patient’s condition, application method, and treatment area. Therefore, it is important to apply ESWT according to the individual characteristics of each patient in clinical practice to maximize its potential benefits.

Efficacy of botulinum toxin A combined with extracorporeal shockwave therapy in post-stroke spasticity: a systematic review

“…Kenmoku T et al found through animal experiments that low-frequency ESWT inhibits acetylcholine binding to receptors and reduces excitability at the neuromuscular junction, thereby relieving muscle spasm (34). Several studies have reported that ESWT improves post-stroke spasticity and enhances motor performance, and has a promising application (35,36). Therefore, the addition of ESWT in combination with BTX-A can be considered in order to obtain a sustained therapeutic effect in a timely manner.…”

Specifics of Family Doctors' Activities on the Way to the Success of Coordinated Rehabilitation

“…Rehabilitation post-stroke encompasses physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, which are critical components in restoring patients' functional abilities. According to Lee and Kim, these therapeutic methods can effectively enhance affected individuals' physical and cognitive skills, enabling them to regain independence and improve their overall quality of life [8].…”