SynthesisFrontiers in neurology
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for post-stroke spasticity: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
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Who cites it
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: This umbrella review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses to determine the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for post-stroke spasticity, along with the quality and reliability of the evidence. Methods: A comprehensive search of eight databases (up to May 2025) was conducted to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating extracorporeal shock wave therapy for post-stroke spasticity. Two scholars independently screened the literature and extracted data. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews and meta-analyses was appraised using AMSTAR 2, and the certainty of evidence for each outcome was rated using the GRADE approach. Overlap of primary studies across reviews was assessed and visualized using the GROOVE tool. Results: A total of 17 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. Among these, 3 were rated as high quality, 2 as moderate quality, 7 as low quality, and 5 as very low quality. Evidence mapping identified 136 nodes, indicating moderate overlap. All included systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggested that extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves post-stroke spasticity. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy helps reduce spasticity, improve sensorimotor function, increase active and passive range of motion, and alleviate pain. Discussion: This umbrella review suggests that extracorporeal shock wave therapy can improve post-stroke spasticity symptoms. However, due to the generally low methodological quality of the included systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the existing evidence remains limited and inconclusive. Language restrictions and the predominance of studies from a single country may also limit their generalizability. Further high-quality research is needed to strengthen the evidence base. Systematic review registration: identifier: CRD420251124065.
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