Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in the treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in the treatment of spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. METHODS Fifteen patients with spastic cerebral palsy, 12 men and 3 women, aged 10-46 years (mean age 31). The 15 patients presented 40 spastic muscles that were divided in three groups using a computerized random-number generator. The first group, received rESWT in spastic muscle. The second group received rESWT in spastic muscle + rESWT in antagonist muscle. The third group received placebo. Range of motion and Ashworth Scale were performed. This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The patients were treated in 3 sessions at intervals of one week. RESULTS There are significant differences between groups treated with rESWT and group placebo. A significant decrease in the Ashworth Scale, an increase in the range of motion, were observed in all patients that were treated with rESWT. Positive results were maintained for at least 2 months after treatment. INTERPRETATION The treatment with rESWT is more effective than placebo in decreasing spasticity of patients with CP.