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Table 3 Characteristics of studies and intervention details for plantar fasciitis and heel spurs

From: The effects of shockwave therapy on musculoskeletal conditions based on changes in imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression

Author

Study design

Condition

N

Mean age ±SD or (range)

Mean symptoms duration ± SD or (range), months

Area of SWT application

Dosage in impulses*EFD (mJ/mm2)/bar

No. of sessions

Interval between sessions

Co- intervention, anesthesia

Bicer (2018) [44]

Prospective open design

Plantar fasciitis

30

45.23 ± 8.57

> 6 weeks

NR

2500*2–3 bars

3

1 week

None

Chew (2013) [45]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

19

median and interquartile range: 45 (37–53)

median and interquartile range: 18 (7–24)

SWT delivered under ultrasound guidance to the painful and thickened region of the plantar fascia at the medial calcaneal tubercle. The patient was positioned prone with the feet over the end of the table

2000*0.42

2

1 week

Home exercise program, none

Daniel-Lucian (2013) [43]

Prospective open design

Plantar fasciitis

17

NR

> 3

SWT was applied over the calcaneal plantar side, aponeurosis insertion and plantar aponeurosis

4000

EFD is NR

8

Twice a week

None

Gerdesmeyer (2015) [46]

prospective intra-individual controlled

Heel spur

45

53 (28.6–80.1)

> 6

SWT localization of the most painful area was achieved with biofeedback mechanism and radiologically controlled. SWT was placed at the origin of the fascia and reached the central calcaneus.

2000*0.32

2

2 weeks

None

Hammer (2005) [47]

prospective intra-individual controlled

Plantar fasciitis

22

51.6 (24–79)

8.8 (6–12)

NR

3000*0.2

3

1 week

None

Hocaoglu (2017) [48]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

36

50.22 ± 8.29

8 (6–24)

Patients were in the prone position. SWT was applied on plantar fascia insertion of the calcaneus

2000*0.16

3

1 week

None

Lai (2018) [49]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

47

54.53 ± 8.62

7.94 ± 2.92

NR

1500*029

2

2 weeks

None

Lee (2003) [50]

RCT

Calcaneal bone spurs

308

NR

> 6

SWT was applied from the plantar surface over a 2 cm circular area around the predetermined point of maximal tenderness at the plantar anthesis

1500*0.22

1 or 2

3 months

None, yes

Maki (2017) [51]

Prospective open design

Plantar fasciitis

23

55.3 (16–81)

26.9 (4–300)

SWT was applied at the plantar fascia attachment under ultrasonic guidance from the medial calcaneus. A second treatment was performed if symptoms persisted at 3 months

3800*0.36

1 or 2

3 months

None

Moretti (2006) [52]

Prospective open design

Plantar fasciitis

54

35.2 (30–42)

> 6

SWT was applied at the medial tubercle of the calcaneus, at the proximal insertion of the plantar fascia or the calcaneal spur, around the point of medial tenderness

2000*0.04

4

1 week

None

Saber (2012) [53]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

30

34.27 ± 7.19

> 6

SWT was applied in prone position over the area of maximal tenderness and finding by ultrasonography

1000–1500*0.28

2

2 weeks

None, yes

Sorrentino (2008) [54]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

30

Total sample = 34 women (56 ± 2.4) and 26 men (52 ± 3.7)

4

SWT was applied under ultrasonography guidance to locate the calcaneal insertion of the plantar fascia

2000*0.03

4

1 week

None

Ulusoy (2017) [55]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

19

54.45 ± 6.9

27 ± 29.79

SWT was applied in the prone position into the areas of the painful heel, insertion of plantar fascia on the medial calcaneal area, and myofascial junction at the dorsum of the heel

2000*2.5-bar

3

1 week

Continue previous exercise program, no

Vahdatpour (2012) [56]

RCT

Plantar fasciitis

20

50.6 ± 10

> 3

SWT was targeted to the maximum local tenderness area

2000 focused+ 2000 radial*0.2

3

1 week

Exercise, NSAIDs, and heel pad for both groups, no

Yalcin (2012) [57]

Prospective open design

Heel spur

108

50.2 ± 11.3

27.4 ± 32.8

SWT was applied in prone position to the marked tender spot

2000*0.4 (4 bar)

5

1 week

None

Zhu (2005) [58]

Prospective open design

Plantar fasciitis

12 (18 ft)

49.9 (33–63)

> 6

SWT was applied to the most painful point (2–3 cm diameter) on the heel

1500*18kv

1

NA

None, yes

  1. NSAIDs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NA not applicable, NR not reported