Spectrum Technology UK Ltd

A brand-new clinical trial, published in the May edition of the Foot & Ankle International Journal, has concluded that only two sessions of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) are needed to efficiently treat chronic Plantar Fasciitis.

The Level 1 trial was conducted by Dr Mahmoud Ibrahim et al. and suggests that ESWT treatment is more effective than first thought. Other clinical trials have concluded that ESWT is efficient when administered in three treatment sessions.

Patients taking part in the Ibhahim et al. clinical trial were treated using the Swiss DolorClast. Fifty patients took part in the trial, with 25 being treated directly with the Swiss DolorClast and 25 in the placebo group being treated with a clasp on the heel to prevent transmission of the impulses from the applicator to the skin at the treatment site.

Endpoints were changes in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and the modified Roles & Maudsley (RM) score from baseline to four weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks follow up. The VAS score is a horizontal patient pain scale where a score of 0 indicates ‘no pain' and 10 indicates ‘pain as bad as it could be'. The RM score rates pain in relation to normal life activities. A score of 1 represents an ‘excellent' quality of life, while a score of 4 represents ‘not being able to walk for more than one hour without pain'.

After two treatment sessions with the Swiss DolorClast, the trial results in the first treatment group showed that the mean VAS scores reduced from 8.52 at baseline to 0.64 at four weeks, slightly increased to 1.08 at 12 weeks and then reduced again to 0.52 at 24 weeks. Overall, the trial recorded a 93.9% reduction in the VAS score for this group.

Similarly, the RM scores for the first group reduced from 3.76 at baseline to 1.20 at four weeks, 1.44 at 12 weeks and 1.32 at 24 weeks. Overall, the trial recorded a 64.9% reduction in the RM score from baseline.

The results for the patients undergoing the placebo treatment were significantly worse in comparison. The mean VAS scores only reduced by 17% from baseline at the end of the trial. The 8.92 score at baseline reduced to 7.56 at four weeks, increased slightly to 7.72 at 12 weeks and reduced to 7.40 at 24 weeks.

Similarly, the mean RM scores reduced from 3.80 at baseline to 3.56 at four weeks, 3.20 at 12 weeks and 3.16 at 24 weeks. Overall, the trial recorded a 16.8% reduction in the RM score from baseline for the placebo group.

Spectrum Technology UK Ltd, the driving force behind Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) technology in the UK and the exclusive distributor of the Swiss DolorClast, has welcomed the latest Ibrahim et al. clinical trial results.

Spectrum Technology Managing Partner, Jim Westwood, said: "These latest clinical trial results serve to reinforce our belief that ESWT is an extremely effective treatment for chronic Plantar Fasciitis - particularly because such significant results can be achieved in only two treatment sessions.

"This evidence strengthens the evidence that ESWT is an extremely attractive and cost-effective pre-surgery treatment option for both patients and health care providers."

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