SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2020
The effects of shockwave therapy on musculoskeletal conditions based on changes in imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression.
Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 36 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of radial and focused shockwave therapy for tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Scientific reports · 2026Pooled it
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Mid-portion and Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Sports medicine - open · 2022Pooled it
- Evaluation of treatment parameters for focused-extracorporeal shock wave therapy in knee osteoarthritis patients with bone marrow lesions: a pilot study.Journal of rehabilitation medicine · 2024Trial
- Updates in ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal interventions.The British journal of radiology · 2026Review
- A critical appraisal evaluating the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in coccydynia.International journal for advancing practice · 2025Article
- Pressure pain threshold encode hyperalgesia or antinociception in fibromyalgia patients?Journal of rheumatic diseases · 2024Article
- No dose response effect in shockwave therapy applied to bone conditions: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.Journal of orthopaedics · 2024Review
- Dose dependent effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on pain and function in osteonecrosis of femoral head: A systematic review.Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma · 2023Review
- Extensive Osteonecrosis After Glucocorticoids: Clinical Response to Bisphosphonate.JCEM case reports · 2023Article
- Outcome of eight working dogs with fibrotic myopathy following extracorporeal shockwave and rehabilitation therapy: a case series.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2023Article
- Low-energy shock wave therapy ameliorates ischemic-induced overactive bladder in a rat model.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- MRI Bone Abnormality of the Knee following Ultrasound Therapy: Case Report and Short Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Review
- Numerical Modeling of Shockwave Treatment of Knee Joint.Materials (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews on the Epidemiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Review
- Imaging of calcific tendinopathy around the shoulder: usual and unusual presentations and common pitfalls.La Radiologia medica · 2021Review
- Advancing frontiers in rheumatic and musculoskeletal imaging.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundShockwave therapy (SWT) is a commonly used intervention for a number of musculoskeletal conditions with varying clinical outcomes. However, the capacity of SWT to influence pathophysiological processes and the morphology of affected tissues remains unclear. The objective of the current review is to evaluate changes in imaging outcomes of musculoskeletal conditions following SWT.
methodsA comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL and SportDiscus was conducted from inception to October 2018. Prospective clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of SWT based on changes in imaging outcomes were eligible for inclusion. Articles were evaluated independently for risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias list and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression with a priori determined covariates was conducted for each condition to determine potential predictors of SWT effects.
resultsSixty-three studies were included, with data from 27 studies available for effect size pooling. Meta-analyses and meta-regression on imaging outcomes were performed for rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (n = 11), plantar fasciitis (n = 7) and osteonecrosis of the femoral head (n = 9). There was an overall reduction in the size of measured lesion following SWT (MD 8.44 mm (95%CI -4.30, 12.57), p < 0.001) for calcium deposit diameter, (MD 0.92 mm (95%CI -0.03, 1.81), p = 0.04) for plantar fascia thickness and (MD 4.84% (95%CI -0.06, 9.75), p = 0.05) for lesion size in femoral head osteonecrosis. Meta-regression showed no influence of SWT dosage parameters, however, baseline lesion size was an independent predictor for changes in imaging outcomes.
conclusionsSWT altered the morphology of musculoskeletal conditions, potentially reflecting changes in underlying pathophysiological processes. The parameters of SWT dosage are not significant predictors of changes in imaging outcomes. Lack of adequate reporting of imaging outcomes limited the conclusions that could be drawn from the current review. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018091140.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.