Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a new adjuvant therapy has shown a potential capability to promote diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ESWT on the healing of DFUs. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine and reference lists were searched for studies published up to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials of any design, including ESWT for patients with DFU, were included. Two reviewers extracted data, including the wound surface area (WSA), percentage of re-epithelialization, population of complete cure and unchanged and other related outcomes. Eight randomized controlled trials (N=339) were included. ESWT was found to be associated with a greater reduction of WSA by 1.54 cm2, and increase of re-epithelialization by 26.31%. A greater population with complete cure was found at the end of treatment (risk ratio [RR] = 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46 to 3.40); however, there was no statistically significant difference at the end of follow up (p=0.052). It can also reduce treatment inefficiency by 4.8-fold (95% CI, 0.12 to 0.37). In addition, ESWT also showed a higher superiority than hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the population for complete cure and unchanged ulcer (RR=1.83; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.94 and RR=0.25; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.48, respectively). ESWT is a feasible adjuvant treatment for DFUs. It can effectively improve the complete cure rate, shorten the healing period of DFUs and significantly reduce treatment ineffectiveness. This can provide new therapeutic ideas for clinical practice of intractable and recurrent DFUs.

Authors' objectives: HTW originally aimed to identify and summarise evidence that addresses the following question: What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of continuous topical oxygen therapy (TOT) in addition to standard of care for the treatment of chronic non-healing and complex wounds in comparison to standard of care alone? The majority of the evidence, and the evidence of highest certainty, we identified was for diabetic foot ulcers, and we have therefore focused on this wound type (evidence on other wound types is reported in an appendix of the report).

Authors' objectives: This health technology assessment evaluates the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of skin substitutes for adults with diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. It also evaluates the budget impact of publicly funding skin substitutes and the experiences, preferences, and values of people with diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers.