OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy in treating upper limb spasticity after a stroke. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Subjects: This study included 95 people with stroke. Intervention: The active (n = 47) and sham-placebo (n = 48) radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy groups received three treatment sessions (every third day). MAIN MEASURES: The Modified Ashworth Scale, Hmax/Mmax ratio, root mean square, co-contraction ratio, mechanical parameters of the muscle and temperature were measured at baseline and days 2, 5 and 8. RESULTS: Among the 135 potential participants screened, 100 were enrolled and allocated randomly, with 95 participants ultimately being included in the intent-to-treat analysis dataset. The active group showed significantly better improvements in upper limb spasticity and muscle function than did the sham-placebo group. Greater improvements in the Modified Ashworth Scale were observed in the active group than in the sham-placebo group (difference -0.45; 95% CI -0.69 to -0.22; p < 0.001). Moreover, significant differences in root mean square, co-contraction ratio and Hmax/Mmax ratio were observed between the two groups (all p < 0.001). The mechanical parameters of the biceps muscle were significantly better in the active group than in the sham-placebo group (p < 0.001). The active group had a higher temperature than the sham-placebo group, although the difference was not significant (p = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the treatment with extracorporeal shockwave therapy can relieve upper limb spasticity in people with stroke.

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