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 2 Comparison of muscle electromyographic activity and elbow joint function at 12 h after treatment between groups.
| Outcome measure | Group A (stretching) | Group B (relaxation) | Mean difference (95% CI) | P value | Effect size (Cohen’s d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEMG (% baseline) | 42.2±12.8 | 60.4±12.5 | −18.2 (−23.8 to −12.6) | <0.001 | −1.43 (large) |
| RMS (% baseline) | 41.8±6.8 | 56.7±8.7 | −14.9 (−18.2 to −11.6) | <0.001 | −1.94 (large) |
| MEPS Score | 38.09±2.64 | 36.15±2.49 | 1.94 (0.88 to 3.00) | <0.001 | 0.75 (medium) |
| AEMG – average electromyography; CI – confidence interval; MEPS – Mayo Elbow Performance Score; RMS – root mean square. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation. All measurements were taken at 12 h after a single session of extracorporeal shock wave therapy. | |||||