Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on upper limb spasticity of hemiplegic patients.Methods 30 hemiplegic patients with upper extremity spasticity were divided into ESWT group (n=15) and control group (n=15).Routine rehabilitation therapy was administrated in two groups. Furthermore, ESWT group received 4 sessions (once a week) of ESWT. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) were used in evaluation at different time points: pre-treatment, each treatment and follow-up 4 weeks after treatment. Results The scores of MAS decreased and the scores of FMA increased in the ESWT group since the 1st session (P<0.05), only in the control group after the 4th session (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the scores of MAS decreased in the ESWT group (P<0.01) since the 1st ESWT and the scores of FMA increased since the 4th session (P<0.01). There was no side effect associated with ESWT. Conclusion EWST is effective, sustained and safe on upper limb spasticity of hemiplegics

Key words: extracorporeal shock wave, spasticity, upper extremity, hemiplegia