• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

Objectives To determine the evidence of effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with meridian and acupoint theory for knee osteoarthritis. Methods By March 3, 2021, five foreign electronic databases and six Korean medical electronic databases were reviewed with the key words 'extracorporeal shock wave' and '(acupoint OR acupuncture point)'. This key words was set up to increase the sensitivity of the search. After the search, knee osteoarthritis study was selected based on the title and abstract and then included after full-texts were read. Results Five randomized controlled trials were eligible in our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of three studies showed positive results for the using ESWT with meridian and acupoint theory for knee osteoarthritis compared with the control group on efficancy rate, visual analog scale and lysholm knee score. but there remains a conundrum regarding the safety of ESWT in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Conclusions Most of studies showed ESWT with meridian and acupoint theory were statistically effective to knee osteoarthritis. However there are limitations that the number of selected studies was small, risk of bias was unclear. So use of ESWT with meridian and acupoint theory for knee arthritis has limited evidence compared to usual care.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an effective treatment for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of upper trapezius. Methods : Study subject were 20 patients (7 male and 13 female). The patients were evaluated by assessing of pain and function using visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) and Constant-Murley scale (CMS). Statistical analysis was used paired T-test to know significance probability between pre-test and post-test. Results : There was no statistical significance in the change in PPT. But, VAS scores were significantly improved after ESWT (p<.05). Using the Constant-Murley score, this study showed a significant decrease in pain and a significant increase in range of motion of shoulder (p<.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that extracorporeal shock waves therapy could be considered as an effective and efficient treatment modality for myofascial pain syndrome of upper trapezius.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the results of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with chronic proximal plantar fascitis. Materials and Methods: Between April 2005 and April 2006, 35 cases (24 patients) who were followed more than 6 months were evaluated. By $EvoTron^{(R)}$, 2 sessions of ESWT (Group 1: 1200 and Group 2: 1500 shock waves / session of $0.12\;mJ/mm^2$) were performed at 2 weeks interval. The mean age was 40.0 (range, 15-59) years. 13 patients were male and 11 patients were female. Visual analogue scale (VAS) on daily activity and a 100-point scoring system including 70 points for pain and 30 points for function were used. The clinical outcomes were rated as follows: excellent, no pain on daily activity; good, less than 50% of previous VAS; fair, 50-75% of previous VAS; or poor, more than 75% of previous VAS. Excellent and good were graded as satisfactory results. We compare clinical results between groups and evaluate the relationships between clinical results and duration of symptom, fascial thickening and previous steroid injection were evaluated. Results: Overall satisfactory rate were 71.4%. There was no significant difference of clinical results between groups. And there were no significant difference between clinical results and duration of symtom, preoperative fascial thickening and previous steroid injection. Conclusions: ESWT for recalcitrant chronic proximal plantar fascitis is useful treatment method with high patient satisfaction and pain relief, but more long-term study must be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 2021

Background: Pillar pain may develop after carpal tunnel release surgery (CTRS). This prospective double-blinded randomized trial investigated the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in pillar pain relief and hand function improvement. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 patients with post-CTRS pillar pain, randomized into two groups. The ESWT group (experimental) received three sessions of ESWT, while the control group received three sessions of sham ESWT, one session per week. Participants were evaluated before treatment, and three weeks, three months, and six months after treatment. The pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Hand functions were assessed using the Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire (MHQ). Results: The ESWT group showed significant improvement in VAS and MHQ scores after treatment at all time points compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Before treatment, the ESWT and control groups had a VAS score of 6.8 ± 1.3 and 6.7 ± 1.0, respectively. Three weeks after treatment, they had a VAS score of 2.8 ± 1.1 and 6.1 ± 1.0, respectively. Six months after treatment, the VAS score was reduced to 1.9 ± 0.9 and 5.1 ± 1.0, respectively. The ESWT group had a MHQ score of 54.4 ± 7.7 before treatment and 73.3 ± 6.8 six months after. The control group had a MHQ score of 54.2 ± 7.1 before treatment and 57.8 ± 4.4 six months after. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective and a safe non-invasive treatment option for pain management and hand functionality in pillar pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2022

Objectives This review was conducted to evaluate effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with meridian and acupoint theory for adhesive capsulitis. Methods By December 2021, 11 electronic databases were reviewed with the key words 'extracorporeal shock wave' and '(acupuncture OR acupoint OR meridian)'. This key words was set up to increase the sensitivity of the search. After the search, adhesive capsulitis study was selected based on the title and abstract and then included after full-texts were read. Results Five randomized controlled trials were eligible in our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of 3 studies showed positive results for the using ESWT with meridian and acupoint theory for adhesive capsulitis compared with the control group on efficancy rate and range of shoulder flexion. Conclusions Some studies showed ESWT with meridian and acupoint theory were statistically effective to adhesive capsulitis. But the evidence is limited due to the defective design of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). So use of ESWT with meridian and acupoint theory for adhesive capsulitis has limited evidence. More well-designed RCTs are required to provide clearer evidence for this claim.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2016

Background: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is one of the treatment options used for patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), although its effectiveness is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ESWT in the treatment of MPS in terms of pain relief and functional improvements. Methods: We assessed 93 patients with MPS who underwent ESWT from March 2009 to July 2014. After exclusion of 25 patients with shoulder diseases, 68 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up period was 7.5 months (${\pm}4.2weeks$), and the average duration of symptoms was 5 months (range, 2-16 months). ESWT was applied to intramuscular taut bands and referred pain areas once a week for 3 weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were obtained at an initial assessment and at the 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up assessments. Results: VAS pain scores and ASES scores improved significantly after 3 sessions of ESWT (p<0.05). Both scores were improved, although not significantly, after 6 weeks (p>0.05). Conclusions: ESWT is an effective treatment option for patients with MPS.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.151-161
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• 2021

Purpose : This study was to investigate the effectiveness of ESWT and plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise vs ESWT and high-load strengthening exercise in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods : The subjects were randomized to extracorporeal shock wave therapy ( ESWT, for 3 weeks) and daily plantar-specific stretching (Group I: Stretch group) or ESWT and high-load progressive strength (Group II: Strength group) performed every second day. The main outcome measures were ultrasound, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Korean Foot Function Index (KFFI). The ultrasound (plantar fascia thickness), pain intensity I, II (the most painful of the day?, the pain when you first step in the morning?) and KFFI (functional performance) were compared between the groups. Results : No significant difference was observed between the groups in the plantar fascia thickness but pain intensity I, II was significantly lower in Group 2 than in Group 1 at only 12weeks and functional performance was also significantly increased in Group 2 compared to Group 1 at only 12 weeks. Conclusion : The high-load strengthening exercise consisting of the progressive exercise protocol, resulted in superior after 12 weeks compared with plantar-specific stretching. High-load strength exercise may aid in a quicker reduction in pain and improvements in functional performance.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2012

Calcific tendinitis is characterized by inflammation around calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposits. Minimally invasive extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been postulated to be an effective treatment option for treating calcific tendinitis. In clinical practice, shock waves usually are aimed at the painful area after palpation and not focused. It has been known that exact fluoroscopic focusing of ESWT at the calcific deposit for treatment of calcifying tendinopathy is highly effective. Ultrasound is a simple, inexpensive and radiation-free diagnostic tool that has been used to demonstrate tendinopathy including calcific tendinitis. However, focusing of shock wave under ultrasound is less well established. We present a patient in whom large calcific tendinitis of gluteus medius was completely resolved by exact focusing of ESWT by ultrasound with literature review.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-10
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for postoperative pain after surgery around ankle. Materials and Methods: We included 21 patients who performed an operation around ankle from 2009 to 2013. 4 times ESWT were applied to the patients who have tenderness more than visual analog scale (VAS) point 4. We evaluated the VAS at each sessions and final follow-up, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score (AFOAS) was checked at preoperative and final follow-up. Patient's satisfaction and complications were surveyed. Results: Preoperative VAS was mean 4.7, postoperative pain VAS was mean 6.0 at 4.5 months follow-up. The VAS after ESWT each session at 1, 2, 3 weeks and final follow-up were 4.8, 3.2, 2.3, 2.9, respectively. Mean final follow-up period was 9.4 months. Final VAS were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Final VAS were increased from VAS at last session of ESWT, however, not significant (p=0.189). AOFAS significantly improved from preoperative 60 to final follow-up 86 (p<0.001). Excellent was 12 patients (57%), good was 4 patients (19%), no change was 3 patients (14%) and poor was 2 patients (9%). 1 patient complained a dizziness and nausea during ESWT. Conclusion: ESWT for postoperative pain after ankle surgery shows satisfactory pain reduction in 76% of all patients without severe complication.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.245-254
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• 2020

Purpose: The study investigated the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy with myofascial release techniques (ESWT+MFR) on pain, movement, and function in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Methods: Forty participants with upper trapezius trigger points were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The experimental group performed the ESWT+MFR, and the control group performed only myofascial release techniques. Each group was treated for 15 minutes, twice a week for four weeks. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale and a pressure pain threshold measure. Movement was assessed by cervical range of motion, and cervical and shoulder function were assessed on the Constant-Murley Scale and the Neck Disability Index before and after treatment. Results: The results indicate statistically significant improvements in the two groups on all parameters after intervention as compared to baseline (p < 0.05). As compared to the control group, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements on the visual analogue scale and pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion (except rotation), and on the Neck Disability Index (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The ESWT+MFR is more effective than myofascial release techniques for pain, movement, and function in patients with myofascial pain syndrome and would be clinically useful for physical therapists treating myofascial pain syndrome.