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 3 Temporal changes in spasticity, motor function, and range of motion following a single session of extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
| Outcome measure | Time point | Group A (stretching) | Group B (relaxation) | Mean difference (95% CI) | P value | Effect size (Cohen’s d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAS Score | 12 hours | 0.97±0.25 | 1.39±0.38 | −0.42 (−0.55 to −0.29) | <0.001 | −1.32 (large) |
| 48 hours | 1.80±0.30 | 2.15±0.41 | −0.35 (−0.49 to −0.21) | <0.001 | −0.98 (large) | |
| FMA-UE Score | 6 hours | 32.79±2.86 | 30.17±2.94 | 2.62 (1.47 to 3.77) | <0.001 | 0.91 (large) |
| 48 hours | 30.59±3.62 | 27.96±4.18 | 2.63 (1.11 to 4.15) | 0.001 | 0.68 (medium) | |
| PROM – extension (°) | 12 hours | 96.15±1.28 | 93.58±1.67 | 2.57 (1.92 to 3.22) | <0.001 | 1.75 (large) |
| 48 hours | 93.36±1.72 | 90.54±1.68 | 2.82 (2.06 to 3.58) | <0.001 | 1.66 (large) | |
| CI – confidence interval; FMA-UE – Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity; MAS – Modified Ashworth Scale; PROM – passive range of motion. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation. | ||||||