FlexWave Trial: Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Post-Stroke Upper Limb Spasticity

Launched by NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Apr 9, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The FlexWave Trial is studying a treatment called extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to help people who have experienced a stroke and are dealing with tightness in their arm muscles, known as spasticity. This trial focuses on patients with problems in their wrist and finger muscles after a stroke. The researchers want to see if this therapy can improve muscle function and movement in the upper limbs of these patients.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be at least 18 years old and have had a stroke affecting one side of their body. They should also have some muscle tightness in their wrist and fingers. It's important that participants are stable in their health and able to follow instructions. However, individuals with a history of multiple strokes, certain brain injuries, or specific medical conditions that could interfere with the therapy are not eligible. Those who join the trial can expect to undergo ESWT sessions and will have their progress monitored throughout the study. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it aims to find new ways to improve the quality of life for stroke survivors struggling with muscle tightness.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals aged 18 years or older with unilateral cerebral stroke.
• • Wrist and finger flexor muscle tone with a score greater than 1 on the Modified Ashworth Scale.
• • Stable medical condition and vital signs.
• • Conscious and able to comply with instructions.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of more than one stroke, traumatic brain injury, or cerebral neoplasm.
• • Coexisting central nervous system disorders (e.g., spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease) or other musculoskeletal diseases affecting muscle tone assessment.
• • Contraindications for shockwave intervention, such as malignancies, coagulopathies, local infections, or use of cardiac pacemakers.
• • Undergone shockwave therapy or botulinum toxin injections for post-stroke spasticity in the past three months.
• • Cognitive, consciousness, or language impairments preventing participation in the intervention or functional assessments.