Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on spasticity, walking and quality of life in poststroke lower limb spasticity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on lower limb function, walking, and quality of life in patients with lower limb poststroke spasticity.

Data sources: A comprehensive and systematic electronic database search of PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest thesis Dissertation checks, Google Scholar was conducted from January 2010 to March 2022.

Review method: Initially, the bibliography was screened to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of ESWT on lower limb spasticity and functional outcomes in stroke patients. Two reviewers independently screened the title and abstract, full-text articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the selected studies. The primary evaluation outcome was spasticity assessed by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and the secondary outcomes were walking performance and quality of life measured on different scales.

Data synthesis: Out of the total of 483 records, 15 studies (389 participants) were finally found eligible for inclusion. A meta-analysis was performed and beneficial effects of ESWT were observed in the experimental group compared with the control group on spasticity. MAS: Standard mean difference (SMD = 0.626), (95%CI = -0.133, 1.119), (p < 0.01), ROM: (SMD = 0.573), (95%CI = 0.074, 1.072), (p < 0.02). The result for before and after ESWT application on TUG: (SMD = 0.174), (95%CI=-0.151, 0.499), (p = 0.29). The results for walking performance were not significant and inconclusive which may be due to the heterogeneity of the studies included.

Conclusion: Evidence suggests that ESWT has promising effects in reducing spasticity and improving lower limb motor function. However, uncertainty exists regarding its effectiveness in walking performance.