Development of a novel skeletal muscle therapy method using extracorporeal shock waves.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19854
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Toyohashi Sozo University
• Principal Investigator: Yokoyama Shingo 豊橋創造大学, 保健医療学部, 講師 (30706859)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 体外衝撃波 / 骨格筋 / 関節可動域制限 / 廃用性筋萎縮

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on limitation in joint range of motion and muscle atrophy. 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: group I, in which the right ankle joint was fixed in the maximum plantar flexion position; group E, in which ESWT was performed during the recovery process after fixation; and group S, in which ESWT was simulated. The left side was the untreated control side, and after the experimental model was created, the bilateral ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and soleus muscle weight were measured. The ankle dorsiflexion range and soleus weight were lowest in Group I, followed by Group S and Group E, in that order. These results suggest ESWT may promote recovery from immobilization-induced limitation in joint range of motion and muscle atrophy.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって関節可動域制限や廃用性筋萎縮の治療法としてESWTが有効であることが示された。現在までに報告されているESWTに関する研究は疼痛軽減目的に使用するためのものがほとんどであり、関節可動域制限や廃用性筋萎縮の治療法としてESWTが有効であることを基礎的に示した報告は少ない。ESWTは理学療法士が使用することができる物理療法であるため、本研究の成果は広く臨床に波及し、これら障害に苦しむ患者様の治療に貢献できるものと考えられる。