Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy for the treatment of non-calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To systematically review the short, intermediate, and long-term effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on pain intensity and shoulder function in individuals with non-calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy. Design The MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and EMBASE were searched from inception up to June 2023. We included randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of ESWT on pain intensity and shoulder function. Results Nine studies were included with a total sample of 543 individuals. ESWT was superior to sham ESWT in improving pain intensity at short-term follow-up (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI -0.57 to -0.01). ESWT was not superior to sham ESWT in improving pain intensity at intermediate-term and long-term follow-ups (p > 0.05). ESWT was not superior to other treatments in improving pain intensity at short-term and intermediate-term follow-ups (p > 0.05). ESWT was not superior to sham ESWT and other treatments in improving shoulder function at short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term follow-ups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Moderate-certainty evidence indicated that ESWT showed small improvement in shoulder pain over sham ESWT at short-term follow-up. In addition, ESWT was not superior to sham ESWT in improving function and it was not superior to other treatments in improving shoulder pain and function.