Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Pain Management: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) has gained a considerable attention as a new innovative non-invasive modality for the management of the various musculoskeletal disorders. Initially introduced for the urological applications, ESWT has increasingly integrated into the physiotherapy practice due to its promising outcomes in the pain reduction and the tissue regeneration. This review aims to analyze and synthesize the current evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy underlying the biological mechanisms, the clinical indications and the practical applications of the ESWT in the musculoskeletal rehabilitation.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the recent clinical trials, the systematic reviews and the experimental studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the ESWT across the different conditions, including the tendinopathies, the plantar fasciitis and the calcific shoulder tendinitis. Results: Our findings demonstrated that the ESWT significantly reduce the pain intensity, enhance the functional performance and improve overall the patient satisfaction. Moreover, the ESWT is associated with a minimal side-effects and a shorter recovery times compared to the invasive interventions making it a valuable option within the conservative physiotherapy management. Despite these encouraging outcomes, a variations in the treatment protocols including the energy levels, the frequency and the number of sessions highlighting the need for a standardized guidelines. Further high-quality research is essential to optimize the treatment parameters and expand its evidence base. Conclusion: ESWT represent a safe and effective therapeutic tools in the modern physiotherapy practice for managing the musculoskeletal pain and the dysfunction.