Effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for burn scar regeneration: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study

Safety and efficacy of treating post‐burn pathological scars with extracorporeal shock wave therapy: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials

“…) across studies, the meta-analysis with random effect models revealed that the combined application of ESWT and CRT decreased the thickness of scars when compared with CRT alone (SMD = À0.13, 95% CI: [À0.25 to À0.01], p = 0.04, see Figure 6A). When Zaghloul's study 34 was excluded considering the difference in the treatment protocols of ESWT among these studies, the pooled effect with three other studies 25,31,32 was less heterogeneous (p = 0.23, I 2 = 33%) and presented a similar result with fixed effect models (SMD = À0.06; 95% CI: [À0.09 to À0.03], p < 0.00001, see Figure 6B). In Zaghloul's study 34 There were two studies that assessed the indexes of TEWL and elasticity at scars sites, respectively.…”

“…Although some discomfort was mentioned during ESWT, patients tolerated the treatment well and no session was discontinued due to pain. 32 No serious adverse effects such as bleeding, hematoma, seroma, petechiae, or infection after ESWT, were reported in these included studies. 20,30,32 4 | DISCUSSION Therefore, there is a critical need for a high-quality systematic review to objectively assess the effects of ESWT on PBPS.…”

“…20,[30][31][32] To summarise, there were nine RCT studies involving 422 patients included in our systematic review and meta-analyses. 20,25,[28][29][30][31][32]34,35 The major subject characteristics of the nine selected articles are outlined in Table 1. All these studies were published within the last 5 years (from 2016 to 2021).…”

“…According to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool, seven RCTs reported the method of randomisation, 20,25,28,[30][31][32]35 and four of them reported the allocation concealment. 25,31,32,35 Sham ESWT was only applied in four studies. 20,25,30,31 Four studies stated blinding of both patients and evaluators.…”

“…20 Three studies reported the more remarkably func- Three of studies reported the complications or side effects secondary to the application of ESWT. 20,30,32 The most frequent complications associated with ESWT included the transitory reddening and oedema of the skin, mild-to-moderate pain, and so on. Although some discomfort was mentioned during ESWT, patients tolerated the treatment well and no session was discontinued due to pain.…”