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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Author Spotlight: Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment
Published on: August 2, 2024
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy vs. kinesiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: A pilot randomized controlled
Paweł Lizis1, Wojciech Kobza2, Grzegorz Manko3
1Department of Education and Health Protection, Holycross College of Kielce, Kielce, Poland.
Background:
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative, painful pathology, needing conservative treatment for symptoms' relief.
Objective:
Comparing the effects of Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and Kinesiotherapy (KIN) on perceived health and range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee.
Method:
A pilot randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, intention-to-treat analysis. Forty participants, aged 40-75 with OA of the knee were randomized to an ESWT and a KIN groups. The ESWT group completed 5 interventions for 5 weeks, the KIN group completed the same number of interventions. All evaluations were performed at baseline and after the treatment for: perceived health (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities questionnaire - WOMAC), range of motion (ROM).
Results:
After the intervention the statistical significant between groups differences favoring the ESWT were found in the WOMAC with regard to pain (p< 0.000), stiffness (p= 0.018), physical function (p< 0.000), total score (p< 0.000), extension and flexion of the affected knee (p= 0.015, p< 0.000) respectively.
Conclusions:
ESWT improves WOMAC and ROM better then KIN on the affected knee in patients with OA of the knee.
