Clinical and Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in Post-Stroke Spasticity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Launched by PAMUKKALE UNIVERSITY · Aug 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) to help reduce muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the wrists of people who have had a stroke. After a stroke, some patients experience tight, stiff muscles that can cause pain and make it hard to move. Current treatments can have side effects or be costly, so this study is looking at whether ESWT—a non-invasive therapy using sound waves—can safely and effectively improve muscle stiffness and quality in the wrist muscles. To get clear results, researchers will use ultrasound imaging, a painless way to look at the muscles, alongside traditional muscle stiffness tests.

People who may be eligible to join are adults aged 35 to 65 who have had their first stroke more than six months ago and have some wrist muscle stiffness but no serious health problems that could interfere with treatment. Participants will receive ESWT and have their muscle stiffness checked using both physical tests and ultrasound before and after treatment to see if the therapy helps. This study aims to provide better, objective ways to measure muscle improvements and may help create better treatment plans for stroke survivors dealing with spasticity.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 35 and 65 years.
• • First-ever stroke episode confirmed by MRI and/or CT scan.
• • Clinical diagnosis of hemiplegia.
• • More than 6 months post-stroke.
• • A Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score between 1 and 3 for wrist flexor spasticity.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of more than one stroke episode
• • Stroke onset more than ten years ago
• • Stroke onset less than 6 months ago
• • Age over 65 (to limit the effects of aging on muscle structure)
• • Contraindications for ESWT (e.g., cancer, local tumor or active infection in the treatment area, pregnancy, coagulation disorders, pacemaker or other electronic/metallic implants)
• • Severe aphasia or serious communication problems
• • Presence of fixed contracture in the wrist
• • Patients who have received botulinum toxin or phenol nerve block injections within the last 6 months
• • Medically unstable patients (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease)