Harding, Dan, Cameron, Lee, Monga, Aastha, and Winter, Sara (2024) Is shockwave therapy effective in the management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome? A systematic review and meta analysis. Musculoskeletal Care, 22 (2). e1892.

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Abstract

Background: Evidence is lacking for the efficacy of shockwave therapy (SWT) in the treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of SWT on pain and function in the management of GTPS.

Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases and grey literature was conducted up to May 2023. Studies utilising SWT on adults for GTPS, providing measures of pain and/or function at baseline and at follow-up were considered for inclusion. Meta-analysis was undertaken using converted pain and functional out-comes. Studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias, and assigned a level of evidence as per the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations criteria.

Results: Twelve articles (n = 1121 subjects) were included, including five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and seven non-RCTs. No statistical differences were observed for pain over time f(1,5) = 1.349 (p = 0.298) or between SWT and control f (1,5) = 1.782 (p = 0.238). No significant differences in functional outcomes in short-(H = 2.591, p = 0.181) and medium-term follow-up (H = 0.189, p = 0.664) were identified between SWT and control. Moderate magnitude treatment effects for pain (Hedges-G [HG] 0.71) favouring SWT groups over control was identified, decreasing to low for function (HG 0.20). Further pain and functional treatment effects were identified at higher magnitudes across follow-up time-points in SWT groups compared to control.

Conclusion: Moderate-quality evidence demonstrated no statistically significant improvements in pain and function post-SWT compared to control. Low-quality evidence established clinical improvements throughout all included studies favouring SWT over control. Consequently, owing to relatively low incidence of side effects, SWT should be considered a viable option for the management of GTPS. Issues with both clinical and statistical heterogeneity of studies and during meta-analysis require consideration, and more robust RCTs are recommended if the efficacy of SWT for the management of GTPS is to be comprehensively determined.

Item ID:	94279
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1557-0681
Keywords:	function, glutaeal tendinopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, pain, shockwave therapy, trochanteric bursitis
Copyright Information:	© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2026 23:59
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science > 420106 Physiotherapy @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200103 Human pain management @ 100%
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