Summary of the problem: Diabetes has been described as the fastest growing health crisis of our time. It currently affects more than 4.5million people in the UK. The direct cost to the NHS is already over £1 billion per year. One of the commonest complications of diabetes are foot ulcers. Despite current best treatment, these ulcers can be very difficult to heal, often taking months to heal and some never do. Even after healing ulcers return in up to 60% of people. In England someone undergoes an amputation of part of their foot every 2 hours and every 4 hours someone loses their leg due to diabetic foot ulcers. People are rarely able to be as active as before. This seriously affects their work, finances and quality of life. Research into improved treatments are a national priority. These treatments need to be safe, effective, tolerable for patients and value for money. Preliminary research has identified shockwave therapy as a promising new treatment in which high-power soundwaves (similar to ultrasound) are delivered to the ulcer. This may make ulcers heal faster. However, the effectiveness of shockwave therapy and the optimum dose is unknown. The aim of the study: 1. To carry out a preliminary (pilot) trial comparing sham (not active) shockwaves, low number of shockwaves and high number of shockwaves on diabetic foot ulcer healing 2. To understand beliefs, concerns, ideas and experience of shockwave therapy amongst patients and clinicians 3. To investigate the cost effectiveness (value for money) of shockwave therapy Methods 1\. Pilot Trial: Ninety patients with DFU will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1. High dose shockwave treatment 2. Low dose shockwave treatment 3. "Sham" shockwave treatment Each treatment will be delivered in 3x30minute sessions in a 7-day period. Face-to-face follow up appointments will take place 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after treatment to measure ulcer healing and changes in quality-of-life. Interviews Interviews to explore patient opinion of shockwave therapy, experience in taking part in the trial, reasons patients do not want to take part and clinician attitudes to shockwave therapy
Age range
18 Years – 120 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Eligibility ratio and recruitment ratio
Timeframe: 19 months
Adherence to treatment
Timeframe: 19 months
Percentage of missing data at each follow up point
Timeframe: 24 weeks
Follow up rates
Timeframe: 6 weeks
Follow up rates
Timeframe: 12 weeks
Follow up rates
Timeframe: 24 weeks
Patient and clinician acceptability of the trial process and ESWT
Timeframe: 24 weeks