Studies of F-ESWT in the treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy
| Ref | Design | System type | N | Regime | Significant benefit at 12 weeks (or other time frame as stated)? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Single-blind RCT | EH | 70 | 4 sessions: 1 using 12 shocks, 0.03 to 0.28 mJ, 3 sessions of 1200 shocks at 0.28 mJ (4–7-day interval) | Loss of 2/3 control patients to follow-up at 24 weeks. At 4 weeks: CMS TG: 45–74 at 4 weeks and 76 at 12 weeks; CG 48–46 at 4 weeks |
| 34 | Single-blind RCT | EM | 80 | 2 sessions at 2 week interval 2500 shocks @ up to 0.45 mJ/mm2 | Yes. Benefit at mean follow-up 110 days (note significant range; 41–255 days). CMS: TG: 50.7 (33.7–70.2) to 63.2 (23.8–90), p<0.0001 vs CG: 50.3(28.2–83.8) to 54.8 (19.9–86.8), p=0.061 |
| 35 | Multicentre RCT. High vs low vs sham | Not stated | 144 | Two sessions, interval 12–16 days. 1500 shocks @ 0.32 mJ/mm2 vs 6000 shocks @0.08 mJ/mm2 vs sham | Yes. Benefit in both treatment groups at 6 and 12 months, superior in high-dose. Change in CMS at 6 months in control, low, high-dose groups: 6.6 (1.4–11.8), 15 (10.2–19.8), 31 (26.7–35.3) p<0.001 between control and each treatment group and between high and low energy |
Twelve-week follow-up (unless stated otherwise).
N=total number of patients. DB-RCT: double-blind randomised controlled trial.
EH, electrohydraluic; EM, electromagnetic; F-ESWT, focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy; SB, single-blind randomised controlled trial.