Sound waves aim to calm spastic muscles in spinal injury patients

NCT ID NCT05432999

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tested whether a non-invasive treatment called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can safely reduce spasticity—muscle stiffness and spasms—in people with chronic spinal cord injury. Five participants received ESWT or a sham treatment, and researchers measured changes in muscle tone and quality of life. The goal is to gather data for a larger trial that could confirm if this low-side-effect approach works better than current medications.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) – a device that delivers high-pressure sound waves to muscles through the skin

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a non-drug option to reduce muscle stiffness and spasms in people with spinal cord injury, with fewer side effects than medications.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study with only 5 participants completed, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment may not prove effective in larger trials.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hereditary spastic paraplegia Muscle Spasticity paraplegia quadriplegia spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy spastic triplegia spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Kessler Foundation

    West Orange, New Jersey, 07052, United States