14 April 2026 : Clinical Research
Stretching-Positioned Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Yields Superior Short-Term Efficacy for Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Spasticity: A Retrospective Comparative Study
Jing Ouyang
BCE 1, Jian Xu BE 1, Changsheng Li EF 1, Yangzheng Li DF 1, Zhipin Liao FG 1, Haixin Song AG 1*
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.951444
Med Sci Monit 2026; 32:e951444
Table 1 Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of stroke patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave therapy in stretching versus relaxation postures.
| Parameter | Group A (stretching therapy group) | Group B (relaxation therapy group) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex (Male/Female) | 26/22 | 28/20 | 0.681 |
| Age (years) | 54.17±3.68 | 54.82±3.79 | 0.396 |
| Affected side (left/right) | 25/23 | 27/21 | 0.682 |
| Disease duration (months) | 6.47±1.25 | 6.59±1.37 | 0.655 |
| Body mass index (kg/m) | 20.47±2.16 | 21.08±2.35 | 0.189 |
| Baseline MAS (mean±SD) | 2.42±0.63 | 2.57±0.41 | 0.170 |
| Baseline FMA-UE (mean±SD) | 25.71±4.29 | 25.26±4.18 | 0.604 |
| Baseline PROM-extension (°) (mean±SD) | 86.34±1.27 | 86.72±1.05 | 0.114 |
| Time since stroke (months) | 6.5±1.3 | 6.6±1.4 | 0.655 |
| Stroke type (ischemic/hemorrhagic) | 40/8 | 42/6 | 0.580 |
| Data are presented as mean±standard deviation unless otherwise indicated. | |||