Effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on myofascial pain syndrome of upper trapezius: A systematic review

Abstract

Neck pain is highly prevalent condition, with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) affecting 95% of people. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) being novel idea for this condition provides non-intrusive, less time consuming and tolerable sound electro physical therapy. The aim of the systematic review was to find and summarize the effectiveness of ESWT associated with different parameters on MPS of upper trapezius. Data were extracted from e-search engine, PubMed, research gate, semantic scholar, magonlinelibrary, Cochrane Library, Google scholar, and MedlinePlus. Systematic review design was done according to Problem, Intervention, Comparison, outcome, and time format, and systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA statement. List of keywords were searched and definite inclusion criteria were developed prior. Total 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive analysis was done to find effectiveness of ESWT. Significant effectiveness of ESWT is found for the patients with MPS of upper trapezius. High-density focused ESWT is more significant results than others with pulses delivered minimum of 1000 per session. However, more high quality studies need to be done to conclude effectiveness of radial and combined ESWT.