F-ESWT in the management of chronic recalcitrant common extensor tendinopathy
| Treatment* | Ref | Study type | System type | N | Regime | Significant benefit at 12 weeks (or other time frame as stated)? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-ESWT low | 40 | DB-RCT | EM | 271 | 3, once weekly sessions 2000 shocks @ 0.07–0.09 mJ/mm2 | No. Mean (SD) pain 65.9(19.4) to 38.3 vs CG: 60.6(25.5) to 50.4 (29.4) |
| 12 | DB-RCT | EM | 75 | 1500 shocks @ 0.12 mJ/mm2 once monthly×3 | No. ‘Success’ TG: 25.8% vs CG: 25.4% | |
| 41 | DB-RCT | EM | 78 | 3, once weekly sessions 2000 shocks 0.09 mJ/mm2 (NB Tennis players only) | Yes. Significantly higher improvement in pain during resisted wrist extension in TG: 3.5 (2.0) vs CG: 2.0 (1.9); p=. 65% >50% reduction of pain in 65% (TG) vs 28% (CG) | |
| 42 | DB-RCT | EM | 114 | 3, once weekly sessions 2000 shocks @ 0.06 mJ/mm2 | Yes. Significant difference in pain reduction at 12 weeks: improvement of pain score by >50% seen in 61% TG vs 29% CG | |
| 43 | DB-RCT | EM | 60 | 3, once weekly sessions, 2000 shocks @ 0.03–0.17 mJ/mm2 (NB No previous treatments) | Success rate >50% improvement 39% TG vs 31% CG |
*High-dose F-ESWT and RPT: no studies met inclusion criteria.
DB-RCT, double-blind randomised controlled trial; F-ESWT, focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy; RPT, radial pulse therapy.