Effectiveness of Extra-corporeal Shockwave Diathermy in the Management of Upper Limb Function Patients With Stroke.

Description

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. A major complication of stroke is spasticity, marked by increased muscle tone and impaired movement. It affects majority stroke patients and complicates rehabilitation, affecting the upper limb function of survivors. While traditional treatments like oral medications and botulinum toxin injections offer some relief, they have notable limitations, causing the need for novel, non-invasive approaches. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), which uses acoustic waves for regeneration and neuromodulation, has shown promise in reducing spasticity with minimal side effects, though its precise mechanisms and ideal protocols need further study. Current evidence supports ESWT's efficacy and safety, often matching established treatments, but gaps remain regarding standardized application and long-term functional outcomes, highlighting the need for more robust research.

Interventions

• ESWT (Other)
  Target muscles: biceps brachii, flexor carpi radialis, pronator teres, wrist and finger flexors. Protocol: 2000 shocks per muscle per session, energy flux density 0.03 mJ/mm², frequency 8 Hz, pressure \~0.2 MPa (2 bars).(1)
• Stretching (Other)
  Sustained stretches held for 10 seconds, 3-5 repetitions per muscle group
• Mobility (Other)
  Active and passive range of motion (ROM) exercises, 10-15 reps
• Strengthening (Other)
  Isometric/ Isotonic exercises for antagonist muscles, 3 sets of 10-15 reps
• Functional training (Other)
  Task-oriented activities ADLs. Eg: grasping, reaching, manipulation, 20-30 minutes per session

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• Gulf Medical University — Ajman, Ajman Emirate, United Arab Emirates