Treatment of shoulder spasticity in stroke patients using shock wave therapy

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the effectiveness of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on shoulder internal rotator spasticity in patients who have suffered a stroke. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the actual ESWT treatment or a placebo treatment that mimics the therapy. The treatment is administered twice weekly over two weeks, totaling four sessions, and various assessments are conducted to measure outcomes such as range of motion, pain levels, and functional abilities. The study aims to determine both the immediate and long-term effects of the therapy on shoulder function and spasticity.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged 18 years or older with unilateral cerebral stroke.
* Restricted passive external rotation of the spastic shoulder by more than 20 degrees.
* A Modified Ashworth Scale score of 1 or higher for shoulder internal rotator spasticity.
* Stable medical condition and vital signs.
* Clear consciousness, able to follow instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of two or more strokes, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, or other cerebral disorders.
* Coexisting central nervous system disorders (e.g., spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease) or other musculoskeletal conditions affecting muscle tone assessment.
* Ineligibility for shock wave intervention due to malignancies, coagulation disorders, localized infections, or presence of a pacemaker.
* Prior shock wave intervention or botulinum toxin injection for post-stroke spasticity within the past three months.
* Inability to participate in interventions or functional assessments due to cognitive, consciousness, or language impairments.

Where it's running

• Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation , National Taiwan University Hospital
  Taipei, Taiwan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Shu-mei Yang, MD — National Taiwan University Hospital
• Study coordinator: Shu-mei Yang, MD
• Email: b99401109@gmail.com
• Phone: 0972653675

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke

  This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.

  Recruiting The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health · Heidelberg, Victoria and 1 other locations · NCT07019493

• Stem cell therapy for chronic stroke recovery

  This study is testing whether using a patient's own stem cells can help people with long-term stroke recovery feel better and improve their daily functioning.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Hokkaido University Hospital · Sapporo, Hokkaido · NCT06752720

• Tendon-lengthening surgery versus botulinum toxin injections for hand and wrist spasticity

  This project tries to see if tendon-lengthening surgery helps adults with hand and wrist spasticity after stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury more than ongoing botulinum toxin injections.

  Recruiting Vastra Gotaland Region · Mölndal · NCT06733025

• AI-based tools to help diagnose, treat and predict stroke outcomes across multiple hospitals

  This study tests AI-powered tools on real-world stroke patients to see if they can improve pre-hospital triage, diagnosis, and outcome prediction while data stay securely within each hospital.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · Leuven and 6 other locations · NCT07924371

• Web-based therapy using action observation and mirror therapy for arm weakness after stroke

  This trial tests whether a mobile telerehabilitation app delivering action observation therapy (AOT) alone or combined AOT with mirror therapy (AOT-MT) can improve upper limb function in people with subacute stroke.

  Recruiting Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · Taoyuan · NCT07921108

• Remote Ischaemic Conditioning for Fatigue After Stroke 2

  Aat least 12 weeks after stroke, adults with post-stroke fatigue will try a simple hand-arm cuff treatment at home to see if it helps reduce fatigue.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Sheffield, South Yorkshire · NCT07914647

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.