Microsoft word - abstracts_en_clinical studies performed with the ems swiss dolorclast.doc

Clinical trials published in the international peer-reviewed
literature1 demonstrating efficacy and safety of treatment with the
EMS Swiss Dolorclast® according to Evidence Based Medicine
criteria2:

Plantar fasciitis:

Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment
of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: results of a confirmatory randomized
placebo-controlled multicenter study.
Am J Sports Med 2008;36:2100-2109
Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, Maier M, Weil L Jr, Weil L Sr, Russlies M,
Stienstra J, Scurran B, Fedder K, Diehl P, Lohrer H, Henne M, Gollwitzer H.
BACKGROUND: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic
plantar fasciitis that can be administered to outpatients without anesthesia but has not yet been
evaluated in controlled trials. HYPOTHESIS: There is no difference in effectiveness between radial
extracorporeal shock wave therapy and placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. STUDY
DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Three interventions of radial
extracorporeal shock wave therapy (0.16 mJ/mm(2); 2000 impulses) compared with placebo were
studied in 245 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Primary endpoints were changes in visual analog
scale composite score from baseline to 12 weeks' follow-up, overall success rates, and success rates
of the single visual analog scale scores (heel pain at first steps in the morning, during daily activities,
during standardized pressure force). Secondary endpoints were single changes in visual analog scale
scores, success rates, Roles and Maudsley score, SF-36, and patients' and investigators' global
judgment of effectiveness 12 weeks and 12 months after extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
RESULTS: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy proved significantly superior to placebo with a
reduction of the visual analog scale composite score of 72.1% compared with 44.7% (P = .0220), and
an overall success rate of 61.0% compared with 42.2% in the placebo group (P = .0020) at 12 weeks.
Superiority was even more pronounced at 12 months, and all secondary outcome measures
supported radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy to be significantly superior to placebo (P < .025,
1-sided). No relevant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Radial extracorporeal shock wave
therapy significantly improves pain, function, and quality of life compared with placebo in patients with
recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.
2 The term Evidence Based Medicine refers to the demonstration of efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions in prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Level 1 evidence is reached when efficacy and safety is demonstrated in at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial. All clinical trials listed here fulfil the criteria of Level 1 Evidence, except of the studies by Furia et al. (2009) on greater trochanteric pain syndrome and Rompe et al. (2009) on medial tibial stress syndrome. These studies reached Level 3 evidence (nonrandomized concurrent cohort comparisons between contemporaneous patients). E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A.
Ch. de la Vuarpillière 31 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland Successful treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with two sessions of radial
extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Ibrahim Ibrahim M, Donatelli R, Schmitz C, Hellman M, Buxbaum F
Foot & Ankle Int: in press
BACKGROUND: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (RSWT) has been previously
demonstrated as an efficient treatment option for chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) when administered in
three sessions. The present study tested the hypothesis that chronic PF can also be treated
successfully with RSWT when only two treatment sessions are performed. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: A total of n=50 patients with unilateral, chronic PF were randomly assigned to either
RSWT (n=25) or placebo treatment (n=25). RSWT was applied in two sessions one week apart (2,000
impulses with energy flux density = 0.16 mJ/mm2 per session). Placebo treatment was performed
with a clasp on the heel. Endpoints were changes in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and the
modified Roles & Maudsley (RM) score from baseline to four weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks
followup. RESULTS: Mean VAS scores were reduced after RSWT from 8.52 ± 0.34 (mean ± SEM) at
baseline to 0.64 ± 1.52 at 4 weeks, 1.08 ± 0.28 at 12 weeks and 0.52 ± 0.14 at 24 weeks from
baseline. Similar changes were found for mean RM scores after RSWT but were not observed after
placebo treatment. Statistical analysis demonstrated that RSWT resulted in significantly reduced
mean VAS scores and mean RM scores at all followup intervals compared to placebo treatment (each
with p < 0.001). No serious adverse events of RSWT were observed. CONCLUSION: RSWT is
efficient in the treatment of chronic PF even when only two sessions with 2,000 impulses each are
performed one week apart. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1 (prospective, randomized, double-blinded,
controlled therapeutic study).
Achilles tendinopathy:
Eccentric loading versus eccentric loading plus shock-wave treatment for
midportion achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial.
Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N.
Am J Sports Med 2009;37:463-470
BACKGROUND: Results of a previous randomized controlled trial have shown comparable
effectiveness of a standardized eccentric loading training and of repetitive low-energy shock-wave
treatment (SWT) in patients suffering from chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. No randomized
controlled trials have tested whether a combined approach might lead to even better results.
PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of 2 management strategies--group 1: eccentric loading
and group 2: eccentric loading plus repetitive low-energy shock-wave therapy. STUDY DESIGN:
Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with a chronic
recalcitrant (>6 months) noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled in a randomized controlled
study. All patients had received unsuccessful management for >3 months, including at least (1)
peritendinous local injections, (2) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and (3) physiotherapy. A
computerized random -number generator was used to draw up an allocation schedule. Analysis was
on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: At 4 months from baseline, the VISA-A score increased in
both groups, from 50 to 73 points in group 1 (eccentric loading) and from 51 to 87 points in group 2
(eccentric loading plus shock-wave treatment). Pain rating decreased in both groups, from 7 to 4
points in group 1 and from 7 to 2 points in group 2. Nineteen of 34 patients in group 1 (56%) and 28 of
34 patients in group 2 (82%) reported a Likert scale of 1 or 2 points ("completely recovered" or "much
improved"). For all outcome measures, groups 1 and 2 differed significantly in favor of the combined
approach at the 4-month follow-up. At 1 year from baseline, there was no difference any longer, with
15 failed patients of group 1 opting for having the combined therapy as cross-over and with 6 failed
patients of group 2 having undergone surgery. CONCLUSION: At 4-month follow-up, eccentric
loading alone was less effective when compared with a combination of eccentric loading and
repetitive low-energy shock-wave treatment.
E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A.
Ch. de la Vuarpillière 31 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland
Eccentric loading compared with shock wave treatment for chronic insertional
achilles tendinopathy. A randomized, controlled trial.
Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N.
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008;90:52-61
BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management of chronic tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon insertion
has been poorly studied. With the recently demonstrated effectiveness of eccentric loading and of
repetitive low-energy shock wave therapy in patients with midsubstance Achilles tendinopathy, the
aim of the present randomized, controlled trial was to verify the effectiveness of both procedures
exclusively in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy. METHODS: Fifty patients with chronic
(six months or more) recalcitrant insertional Achilles tendinopathy were enrolled in a randomized,
controlled study. All patients had received treatment, including local injections of an anesthetic and/or
corticosteroids, a prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and physiotherapy, without
success for at least three months. A computerized random-number generator was used to draw up an
allocation schedule. Twenty-five patients were allocated to receive eccentric loading (Group 1), and
twenty-five patients were allocated to treatment with repetitive low-energy shock wave therapy (Group
2). Analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. Primary follow-up was at four months, and afterward
patients were allowed to cross over. The last follow-up evaluation was at one year after completion of
the initial treatment. The patients were assessed for pain, function, and activity with use of a validated
questionnaire (the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles [VISA-A] questionnaire).
RESULTS: At four months from baseline, the mean VISA-A score had increased in both groups, from
53 to 63 points in Group 1 and from 53 to 80 points in Group 2. The mean pain rating decreased from
7 to 5 points in Group 1 and from 7 to 3 points in Group 2. Seven patients (28%) in Group 1 and
sixteen patients (64%) in Group 2 reported that they were completely recovered or much improved.
For all outcome measures, the group that received shock wave therapy showed significantly more
favorable results than the group treated with eccentric loading (p = 0.002 through p = 0.04). At four
months, eighteen of the twenty-five patients from Group I had opted to cross over, as did eight of the
twenty-five patients from Group 2. The favorable results after shock wave therapy at four months were
stable at the one-year follow-up evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Eccentric loading as applied in the
present study showed inferior results to low-energy shock wave therapy as applied in patients with
chronic recalcitrant tendinopathy of the insertion of the Achilles tendon at four months of follow-up.
Further research is warranted to better define the indications for this treatment modality.

Eccentric loading, shock-wave treatment, or a wait-and-see policy for
tendinopathy of the main body of tendo Achillis: a randomized controlled trial.
Rompe JD, Nafe B, Furia JP, Maffulli N
Am J Sports Med 2007;35:374-383
BACKGROUND: Few randomized controlled trials compare different methods of management in
chronic tendinopathy of the main body of tendo Achillis. PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of
3 management strategies-group 1, eccentric loading; group 2, repetitive low-energy shock-wave
therapy (SWT); and group 3, wait and see-in patients with chronic tendinopathy of the main body of
tendo Achillis. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS:
Seventy-five patients with a chronic recalcitrant (>6 months) noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy
were enrolled in a randomized controlled study. All patients had received unsuccessful management
for >3 months, including at least (1) peritendinous local injections, (2) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, and (3) physiotherapy. A computerized random -number generator was used to draw up an
allocation schedule. Analysis was on intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: At 4 months from baseline,
the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA)-A score increased in all groups, from 51 to 76
points in group 1 (eccentric loading), from 50 to 70 points in group 2 (repetitive low-energy SWT), and
from 48 to 55 points in group 3 (wait and see). Pain rating decreased in all groups, from 7 to 4 points
in group 1, from 7 to 4 points in group 2, and from 8 to 6 points in group 3. Fifteen of 25 patients in
group 1 (60%), 13 of 25 patients in group 2 (52%), and 6 of 25 patients in Group 3 (24%) reported a
E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A.
Ch. de la Vuarpillière 31 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland Likert scale of 1 or 2 points ("completely recovered" or "much improved"). For all outcome measures,
groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly. For all outcome measures, groups 1 and 2 showed
significantly better results than group 3. CONCLUSION: At 4-month follow-up, eccentric loading and
low-energy SWT showed comparable results. The wait-and-see strategy was ineffective for the
management of chronic recalcitrant tendinopathy of the main body of the Achilles tendon.
Medial tibial stress syndrome:

Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave as a treatment for medial tibial stress
syndrome.
Rompe JD, Caccio A, Furia JP, Maffulli N.
Am J Sports Med 2009 Sep 23 [Epub ahead of print]
BACKGROUND: Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a pain syndrome along the tibial origin of
the tibialis posterior or soleus muscle. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (SWT) is effective in
numerous types of insertional pain syndromes. HYPOTHESIS: Shock wave therapy is an effective
treatment for chronic MTSS. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS:
Forty-seven consecutive subjects with chronic recalcitrant MTSS underwent a standardized home
training program, and received repetitive low-energy radial SWT (2000 shocks; 2.5 bars of pressure,
which is equal to 0.1 mJ/mm2; total energy flux density, 200 mJ/mm2; no local anesthesia) (treatment
group). Forty-seven subjects with chronic recalcitrant MTSS were not treated with SWT, but
underwent a standardized home training program only (control group). Evaluation was by change in
numeric rating scale. Degree of recovery was measured on a 6-point Likert scale (subjects with a
rating of completely recovered or much improved were rated as treatment success). RESULTS: One
month, 4 months, and 15 months from baseline, success rates for the control and treatment groups
according to the Likert scale were 13% and 30% (P < .001), 30% and 64% (P < .001), and 37% and
76% (P < .001), respectively. One month, 4 months, and 15 months from baseline, the mean numeric
rating scale for the control and treatment groups were 7.3 and 5.8 (P < .001), 6.9 and 3.8 (P < .001),
and 5.3 and 2.7 (P < .001), respectively. At 15 months from baseline, 40 of the 47 subjects in the
treatment group had been able to return to their preferred sport at their preinjury level, as had 22 of
the 47 control subjects. CONCLUSION: Radial SWT as applied was an effective treatment for MTSS.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome:
Home training, local corticosteroid injection, or radial shock wave therapy for
greater trochanter pain syndrome.
Rompe JD, Segal NA, Cacchio A, Furia JP, Morral A, Maffulli N.
Am J Sports Med 2009;37 1981-1990
BACKGROUND: There are no controlled studies testing the efficacy of various nonoperative
strategies for treatment of greater trochanter pain syndrome. HYPOTHESIS: The null hypothesis was
that local corticosteroid injection, home training, and repetitive low-energy shock wave therapy
produce equivalent outcomes 4 months from baseline. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled
clinical trial; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-nine patients with refractory
unilateral greater trochanter pain syndrome were assigned sequentially to a home training program, a
single local corticosteroid injection (25 mg prednisolone), or a repetitive low-energy radial shock wave
treatment. Subjects underwent outcome assessments at baseline and at 1, 4, and 15 months. Primary
outcome measures were degree of recovery, measured on a 6-point Likert scale (subjects with rating
completely recovered or much improved were rated as treatment success), and severity of pain over
the past week (0-10 points) at 4-month follow-up. RESULTS: One month from baseline, results after
corticosteroid injection (success rate, 75%; pain rating, 2.2 points) were significantly better than those
after home training (7%; 5.9 points) or shock wave therapy (13%; 5.6 points). Regarding treatment
success at 4 months, radial shock wave therapy led to significantly better results (68%; 3.1 points)
E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A.
Ch. de la Vuarpillière 31 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland than did home training (41%; 5.2 points) and corticosteroid injection (51%; 4.5 points). The null
hypothesis was rejected. Fifteen months from baseline, radial shock wave therapy (74%; 2.4 points)
and home training (80%; 2.7 points) were significantly more successful than was corticosteroid
injection (48%; 5.3 points). CONCLUSION: The role of corticosteroid injection for greater trochanter
pain syndrome needs to be reconsidered. Subjects should be properly informed about the advantages
and disadvantages of the treatment options, including the economic burden. The significant short-
term superiority of a single corticosteroid injection over home training and shock wave therapy
declined after 1 month. Both corticosteroid injection and home training were significantly less
successful than was shock wave therapy at 4-month follow-up. Corticosteroid injection was
significantly less successful than was home training or shock wave therapy at 15-month follow-up.
Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a treatment for greater
trochanteric pain syndrome.
Furia JP, Rompe JD, Maffulli N.
Am J Sports Med 2009;37:1806-1813
BACKGROUND: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is often a manifestation of underlying gluteal
tendinopathy. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is effective in numerous types of tendinopathies.
HYPOTHESIS: Shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic greater trochanteric pain
syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Thirty-three
patients with chronic greater trochanteric pain syndrome received low-energy shock wave therapy
(2000 shocks; 4 bars of pressure, equal to 0.18 mJ/mm(2); total energy flux density, 360 mJ/mm(2)).
Thirty-three patients with chronic greater trochanteric pain syndrome were not treated with shock
wave therapy but received additional forms of nonoperative therapy (control). All shock wave therapy
procedures were performed without anesthesia. Evaluation was by change in visual analog score,
Harris hip score, and Roles and Maudsley score. RESULTS: Mean pretreatment visual analog scores
for the control and shock wave therapy groups were 8.5 and 8.5, respectively. One, 3, and 12 months
after treatment, the mean visual analog score for the control and shock wave therapy groups were 7.6
and 5.1 (P < .001), 7 and 3.7 (P < .001), and 6.3 and 2.7 (P < .001), respectively. One, 3, and 12
months after treatment, mean Harris hip scores for the control and shock wave therapy groups were
54.4 and 69.8 (P < .001), 56.9 and 74.8 (P < .001), and 57.6 and 79.9 (P < .001), respectively. At final
follow-up, the number of excellent, good, fair, and poor results for the shock wave therapy and control
groups were 10 and 0 (P < .001), 16 and 12 (P < .001), 4 and 13 (P < .001), and 3 and 8 (P < .001),
respectively. Chi-square analysis showed the percentage of patients with excellent (1) or good (2)
Roles and Maudsley scores (ie, successful results) 12 months after treatment was statistically greater
in the shock wave therapy than in the control group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Shock wave therapy is
an effective treatment for greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A.
Ch. de la Vuarpillière 31 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland
Subacromial pain syndrome:
Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy compared with supervised exercises
in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: a single blind randomised study.
Engebretsen K, Grotle M, Bautz-Holter E, Sandvik L, Juel NG, Ekeberg OM, Brox JI.
Brit Med J 2009;339:b3360. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b3360.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment with that of
supervised exercises in patients with shoulder pain. DESIGN: Single blind randomised study.
SETTING: Outpatient clinic of physical medicine and rehabilitation department in Oslo, Norway.
PARTICIPANTS: 104 patients with subacromial shoulder pain lasting at least three months.
INTERVENTIONS: Radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment: one session weekly for four to six
weeks. Supervised exercises: two 45 minute sessions weekly for up to 12 weeks. Primary outcome
measure Shoulder pain and disability index. RESULTS: A treatment effect in favour of supervised
exercises at 6, 12, and 18 weeks was found. The adjusted treatment effect was -8.4 (95% confidence
interval -16.5 to -0.6) points. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the group treated with
supervised exercises improved-odds ratio 3.2 (1.3 to 7.8). More patients in the shockwave treatment
group had additional treatment between 12 and 18 weeks-odds ratio 5.5 (1.3 to 26.4). CONCLUSION:
Supervised exercises were more effective than radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment for short
term improvement in patients with subacromial shoulder pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials
NCT00653081.
E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A.
Ch. de la Vuarpillière 31 CH-1260 Nyon Switzerland

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