News: Further NICE guidance for ESWT treatment
The development of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) as a mainstream treatment method in the UK healthcare setting has been given a boost after the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued full guidance for the treatment of Refractory Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome.
The guidance, issued on 26 January 2011, was published on the back of the results achieved by a non-randomised comparative study involving 229 patients. Seventy-eight patients underwent several ESWT treatment sessions, 75 had a single corticosteroid injection, while the remaining 76 underwent a ‘home training’ programme.
On completion of the study, 64% of the patients in the ESWT treatment group returned to their previous sporting or recreational activity, compared to only 49% in the steroid injection group and 34% in the ‘home training’ group. NICE also sent a questionnaire to each of the patients that underwent ESWT treatment and 70% of the group stated that they would recommend the treatment form to other people.
This latest NICE approval marks the second clinical vote of confidence for ESWT in the UK and follows the NICE guidance that was issued in August 2009 for the safe and effective treatment of Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonopathy and Tennis Elbow.
Spectrum Technology UK Ltd, the company that is driving the development of ESWT in the UK and working with more than 100 consultant orthopaedic surgeons to deliver an effective ESWT treatment service, has welcomed this latest NICE guidance.
Joint Managing Partner, Jim Westwood, said: “This is another positive step for ESWT in the UK and helps to drive home the message that this is an effective and safe treatment method that gives patients various benefits over conventional treatments.”
Although the latest NICE guidance advised that ESWT is a safe and effective treatment method, it also highlighted that some of the clinical evidence supporting the use of ESWT is inconsistent – largely due to many RCTs having considerably different trial designs, clinical end points and quality markers.
Westwood added: “We’re fully aware that there are some inconsistencies in the clinical outcomes during studies like this. But we are taking steps to eliminate those inconsistencies once and for all. We will announce further details about this very shortly.”