The Effects of Shock Wave Therapy on the Symptoms and Function of Individuals With Dupuytren Disease: A Systematic Review

Objective

To systematically evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on pain, clinical and functional outcomes, and satisfaction of patients with Dupuytren disease.

Data Sources

A thorough search for all the study types published in English was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from inception to August 31, 2022.

Study Selection

Title and abstract and then full-text screening against eligibility criteria was performed independently by 2 reviewers, and a third reviewer achieved consensus.

Data Extraction

Reviewers identified 26 studies, of which 6 were included in the analysis (145 cases). The methodological quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.

Data Synthesis

Assessments represented a remarkable improvement in the pain and function through the measurements including the visual analog scale, the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, the Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire, and Mayo Wrist Score. Patients’ satisfaction was also favorable using the Roles and Maudsley score. The hand grip strength improvement was noted in one study measured via a Jamar dynamometer. In addition, the ultrasonographic assessment of the nodules revealed a decrease in the size of the nodules in a patient with multiple bilateral nodules after the treatment. The quality of the included studies was good for all studies except for one that was fair. The certainty of evidence was moderate for pain and function and was low for patients’ satisfaction and ultrasonographic findings.

Conclusions

ESWT can lead to significant pain improvement, functional rehabilitation, and patient satisfaction with no adverse effect in the management of Dupuytren disease. Pain may return over time, but not to that severity before the intervention. ESWT-related characteristics and the need for continuation of treatment remain to be fully elucidated in future large clinical trials.