Background: To evaluate whether extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the pain point is a more effective treatment than the trigger point for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the most effective areas when applying extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Methods: A total of 30 patients with MPS were randomly assigned to the trigger point in the ESWT (n = 15) and pain point ESWT (n = 15) groups. Interventions in both groups were performed in one session, i.e., 2,000 shocks with 1.5 bar intensity. Pain and function were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and cervical range of motion (ROM) and based on mechanical muscle properties. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated measures two-way analysis of variance to determine the significance probability between pre- and post-test. Results: Changes in mechanical muscle properties were not statistically significant between the two groups. However, VAS and cervical ROM showed statistically significant differences at pre- and post-intervention, regardless of the group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although no significant difference was observed in the intervention effect, applying an extracorporeal shock wave to the pain point rather than the pain trigger point should be considered in order to save time in effectively and accurately identifying the pain trigger point and site.

This study aims to identify the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and stretching technique on flexibility, muscle tone and pressure pain threshold of a shortened hamstring. A total of 40 patients with hamstring shortening was randomly assigned to either the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (n=20) or extracorporeal shock wave therapy with stretching technique group (n=20) to identify the effects of the two different forms of physical therapy intervention. All the participants underwent extracorporeal shockwave therapy twice a week for 3 weeks, and the extracorporeal shockwave therapy with stretching technique group performed stretching techniques with the same frequency for 3 weeks. To measure hamstring flexibility before and after intervention, the passive straight leg raising test was performed, and muscle tone and pressure pain threshold were assessed. The flexibility of the hamstrings significantly improved, while the pressure pain threshold increased in both groups. These findings suggest that the effective in improving hamstring flexibility, reducing muscle tone, and increasing pressure pain threshold in adults with hamstring shortening.

This study used both kinesiotaping and extracorporeal shock wave therapy on patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder - a common musculoskeletal disorder in adults - in order to observe the effects on the joint range of motion. 21 adult(male 12, female 9) were selected and distributed into randomized groups. One group received kinesiotaping (n=10) and the other group received kinesiotaping together with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (n=11). After a 6 week duration of receiving kinesiotaping and extracorporeal shockwave therapy, changes in the joint range of motion in the patients were observed. Post-treatment of frozen shoulder, the changes in abduction within the shoulder joint were as follows: in both groups there was a noticeable increase in the joint range of motion (p<.05). Post-treatment of frozen shoulder, the changes in external rotation within the shoulder joint were as follows: both groups showed a significant increase in the joint range of motion (p<.05). The result of suggest that, it can be inferred that both the extracorporeal shockwave therapy and kinesiotaping are effective in increasing the joint range of motion in patients with frozen shoulder.