Effectiveness of Unfocused vs. Focal Shock Waves Combined with Botulinum Toxin on Spasticity in Brain-Damaged Patients

Abstract

Spasticity is a common complication in patients with neurological disorders, increasing disability and hampering quality of life. Combined treatment with focused shock waves (fESWT) and botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) has been shown to increase the effectiveness and duration of the effect of BoNT-A on spasticity in patients with brain injuries. We studied the effectiveness of the combination of unfocused shock waves (uESWT) and BoNT-A on spasticity. This prospective study with systematic randomization included 24 patients with brain injury, a small sample size due to clinical limitations, and spasticity was measured using the Ashworth scale (AS) for those with lower limb involvement; gait speed was assessed using the 10-m gait test (10MWT). To judge patient satisfaction with treatment, we used the Consumer Reports Effectiveness Scale-4 (CRES-4). Both uESWT and fESWT with BoNT-A resulted in a 3-point improvement in the median spasticity score, which was maintained from week 2 to week 26, and a statistically significant reduction in the 10MWT was observed. Furthermore, the proportion of patients who were very satisfied with the treatment was higher with uESWT (91%) than with fESWT (69.2%). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the added benefit of concurrent and combined treatment with uESWT and BoNT-A injections to improve spasticity in patients with stroke or multiple sclerosis and show higher patient satisfaction with the treatment.