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.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Pain, Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Emine Bilir
*
0000-0002-0671-1335
Türkiye
Ferda Surel
0000-0003-3748-3109
Türkiye
Kaan Çavdarcı
0009-0007-1582-1759
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 25, 2026
Submission Date
June 30, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 30, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 3