Translational Advances in Shockwave Therapy: Novel Evidence from Bench to Bedside in Multidisciplinary Applications

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) represents one of the most significant medical advances of the past decades. Since its introduction in the 1980s for the treatment of urinary stones (lithotripsy), ESWT has undergone a remarkable evolution. Nowadays, ESWT stands as a non-invasive, safe, and well-tolerated therapeutic option for a variety of musculoskeletal and soft tissue disorders, demonstrating promising benefits in pain relief, functional recovery, and tissue healing.Driven by the emerging evidence of the reparative and pro-healing effects of ESWT, recent years have marked a new phase of rapid expansion in shockwave research far beyond the traditional orthopedic domain. This expanding exploration of ESWT’s potential applications across various medical specialties, including dermatology, cardiology, andrology, gynecology, and neurology, is paving the way for novel, exciting avenues of clinical use. At the same time, emerging findings showing that ESWT can induce the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and especially exosomes, represent a breakthrough in EV-based regenerative medicine. This mechanism holds significant promise for the treatment of various musculoskeletal injuries and may ultimately position ESWT as a cutting-edge and non-invasive treatment modality for modulating cell-to-cell communication, thus enhancing tissue regeneration.Despite the growing body of evidence supporting ESWT efficacy across multiple medical fields, a significant gap remains in integrating mechanistic insights from basic research with clinical outcomes, limiting our understanding of how to optimize treatment protocols for specific conditions.This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of shockwave therapy, encompassing both experimental investigations and its expanding clinical applications. It seeks to bridge the gap between basic research, which elucidates the underlying biological mechanisms ofshockwaves, and the innovative therapeutic applications of ESWT across various medical specialties. Although shockwave therapy has traditionally been used for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, this collection will not be limited to these “classic” applications. We particularly welcome studies exploring emerging clinical applications of ESWT, including cardiology, dermatology, andrology, gynecology, dentistry, and neurology. Research focusing on ESWT-mediated regenerative effects and extracellular vesicle release is also highly encouraged.By integrating both experimental and clinical studies, this Research Topic aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of ESWT as a versatile and transformative non-invasive treatment modality.This Research Topic accepts all the articles listed on the journal website. The following manuscript types are particularly welcome:-Original research;- Clinical trial;- Reviews;- Systematic review;- Brief Communications;- Case reports. Topic editors: Larisa Ryskalin, Federica Fulceri, Maria Cristina D'Agostino, Mario Vetrano, Mariachiara Vulpiani, Marco Gesi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75679/translational-advances-in-shockwave-therapy-novel-evidence-from-bench-to-bedside-in-multidisciplinary-applications