Research Article

EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN

Volume: 16 Number: 3 September 25, 2026
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EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN

Abstract

Objective: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a modern physical therapy modality used to treat musculoskeletal conditions. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of radial ESWT on pain, disability and depression in chronic non-radicular low back pain (LBP).
Material and Methods: Sixty-nine patients with chronic nonradicular LBP were included in the study and randomized to two groups: rESWT (group 1) or sham ESWT (group 2). A total of 62 patients completed the study; the intervention group (n=30, mean age of 45.7±10.7 years) received rESWT, and the control group (n=32, mean age of 47.0±10.1 years) received sham ESWT. Outcome parameters included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The evolutions were made before treatment, after treatment, and 1st month after treatment. 
Results: Sixty-two patients completed the study (rESWT, n=30; sham ESWT, n=32). Pain intensity decreased significantly more in the rESWT group than in the sham group both immediately after treatment (VAS change: 2.9±1.3 vs. 1.8±1.4, p=0.002) and at 1-month follow-up (3.3±1.7 vs. 2.3±1.9, p=0.035). Functional disability also improved significantly more with rESWT (ODI change after treatment: 6.5 [4.0-12.0] vs. 2.0 [-2.0-3.5], p<0.001; at 1 month: 8.0 [0.0-12.5] vs. 0.0 [0.0-5.5], p=0.014). Although anxiety improved more in the rESWT group immediately after treatment (p=0.036), this difference was not maintained at 1 month (p=0.184). No significant between-group differences were observed in depression scores either after treatment (p=0.994) or at 1 month (p=0.177).
Conclusion: rESWT appears to be an effective intervention for reducing pain and disability, with superior short-term outcomes compared to sham treatment. However, its effects on anxiety were transient, and no additional benefit was observed for depression. rESWT may be considered a safe and effective adjunctive 
treatment for improving pain and function in this patient population.

Keywords

Project Number

TABED 2-24-246

Ethical Statement

The ethics committee of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital approved the study on July 10, 2024 (reference number: TABED-2-24-246).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pain, Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 25, 2026

Submission Date

June 30, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 3

APA
Bilir, E., Surel, F., Savtok Güler, B. E., & Çavdarcı, K. (2026). EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN. Bozok Tıp Dergisi, 16(3), 452-462. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1982575
AMA
1.Bilir E, Surel F, Savtok Güler BE, Çavdarcı K. EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026;16(3):452-462. doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1982575
Chicago
Bilir, Emine, Ferda Surel, Banu Ece Savtok Güler, and Kaan Çavdarcı. 2026. “EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16 (3): 452-62. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1982575.
EndNote
Bilir E, Surel F, Savtok Güler BE, Çavdarcı K (September 1, 2026) EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16 3 452–462.
IEEE
[1]E. Bilir, F. Surel, B. E. Savtok Güler, and K. Çavdarcı, “EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN”, Bozok Tıp Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 452–462, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.16919/bozoktip.1982575.
ISNAD
Bilir, Emine - Surel, Ferda - Savtok Güler, Banu Ece - Çavdarcı, Kaan. “EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16/3 (September 1, 2026): 452-462. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1982575.
JAMA
1.Bilir E, Surel F, Savtok Güler BE, Çavdarcı K. EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026;16:452–462.
MLA
Bilir, Emine, et al. “EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 452-6, doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1982575.
Vancouver
1.Emine Bilir, Ferda Surel, Banu Ece Savtok Güler, Kaan Çavdarcı. EFFICACY OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Sep. 1;16(3):452-6. doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1982575