Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Intermittent claudication (IC) is a common manifestation of peripheral arterial disease. This study evaluates the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), a non-invasive treatment, for patients with IC.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of four major databases (Pub...

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Main Authors: Peiyuan Tang, Ting Wen, Jingyue Su, Shanshan Gao, Shengwu Yang, Chunwu Zhang, Wenfeng Xiao, Yusheng Li, Zhenhan Deng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Annals of Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2543979
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author Peiyuan Tang
Ting Wen
Jingyue Su
Shanshan Gao
Shengwu Yang
Chunwu Zhang
Wenfeng Xiao
Yusheng Li
Zhenhan Deng
author_facet Peiyuan Tang
Ting Wen
Jingyue Su
Shanshan Gao
Shengwu Yang
Chunwu Zhang
Wenfeng Xiao
Yusheng Li
Zhenhan Deng
author_sort Peiyuan Tang
collection DOAJ
description Background Intermittent claudication (IC) is a common manifestation of peripheral arterial disease. This study evaluates the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), a non-invasive treatment, for patients with IC.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) was conducted through March 2025. Eight studies met inclusion criteria for the analysis, which was performed using Review Manager 5.4 with evidence strength assessed by the GRADE system.Results The analysis included eight studies with a total of 332 patients (mean age >50 years, 67.5% male). Compared to placebo, ESWT demonstrated significant improvements in functional outcomes. It led to substantial increases in both Pain-Free Walking Distance (MD=26.53, p < 0.01) and Maximum Walking Distance (MD=37.21, p < 0.01). Quality of life was also enhanced, reflected by higher scores on the EQ-5D-3L survey (MD=0.08, p < 0.01) and improvements across SF-36 domains including Physical Function, General Health, Vitality, and Social Functioning. However, ESWT did not produce a significant change in the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) (MD=−0.01, p = 0.05).Conclusion ESWT is associated with improved walking distance and quality of life in patients with IC. These findings require cautious interpretation due to the limited number of studies and small sample sizes.Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-485da11c983949cb9c7fe2f6a26d2b162025-08-20T03:45:11ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Medicine0785-38901365-20602025-12-0157110.1080/07853890.2025.2543979Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysisPeiyuan Tang0Ting Wen1Jingyue Su2Shanshan Gao3Shengwu Yang4Chunwu Zhang5Wenfeng Xiao6Yusheng Li7Zhenhan Deng8Deparment of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, ChinaDeparment of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USADepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDeparment of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, ChinaDeparment of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaBackground Intermittent claudication (IC) is a common manifestation of peripheral arterial disease. This study evaluates the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), a non-invasive treatment, for patients with IC.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) was conducted through March 2025. Eight studies met inclusion criteria for the analysis, which was performed using Review Manager 5.4 with evidence strength assessed by the GRADE system.Results The analysis included eight studies with a total of 332 patients (mean age >50 years, 67.5% male). Compared to placebo, ESWT demonstrated significant improvements in functional outcomes. It led to substantial increases in both Pain-Free Walking Distance (MD=26.53, p < 0.01) and Maximum Walking Distance (MD=37.21, p < 0.01). Quality of life was also enhanced, reflected by higher scores on the EQ-5D-3L survey (MD=0.08, p < 0.01) and improvements across SF-36 domains including Physical Function, General Health, Vitality, and Social Functioning. However, ESWT did not produce a significant change in the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) (MD=−0.01, p = 0.05).Conclusion ESWT is associated with improved walking distance and quality of life in patients with IC. These findings require cautious interpretation due to the limited number of studies and small sample sizes.Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2543979Extracorporeal shock wave therapyintermittent claudicationmeta-analysissystematic review
spellingShingle Peiyuan Tang
Ting Wen
Jingyue Su
Shanshan Gao
Shengwu Yang
Chunwu Zhang
Wenfeng Xiao
Yusheng Li
Zhenhan Deng
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Annals of Medicine
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
intermittent claudication
meta-analysis
systematic review
title Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease-related intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort extracorporeal shock wave therapy for peripheral arterial disease related intermittent claudication a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
intermittent claudication
meta-analysis
systematic review
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2543979
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