Predictive factors of response in radial Extracorporeal Shock-waves Therapy for Myofascial and Articular Pain: A retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

Myofascial Pain Syndrome causes disability in daily life activities and despite all efforts, it continues to be a challenge, perpetuating suffering, overloading services and costs. New treatment options need to be tested. We aimed to quantify the rESWT short-term analgesic effect and identify the predictors of success through comparing results achieved in MPS and Articular Pain (AP). Retrospective cohort study of 1,580 patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Articular Pain underwent two weekly radial Extracorporeal Shock-wave Therapy sessions. The pain intensity was measured by Visual Analog Scale before and one week after the end of the treatment (3 weeks). The therapy decreases pain by 62.50% (p< 0.0001), with a high success rate (91.59%) and a low worsening of baseline conditions rate (2.1%). The best recommendation is for patients with intense myofascial pain (Visual Analog Scale ⩾ 70 mm), using high shock-wave frequency (⩾ 15 Hz). Two rESWT sessions promote pain relief, with a high success rate and low rates of treatment abandonment and worsening. The best results are obtained in myofascial pain patients with high pain intensity, treated with high-frequency dosage.