Objective To study the effect of extracorporeal shock wave combined with routine comprehensive rehabilitation therapy on upper extremity function and life quality of patients with shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke. Methods A total of 80 patients were randomly divided into control group (40 cases) and treatment group (40 cases). Both groups were given routine comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, besides, the treatment group accepted additional extracorporeal shock wave. Four weeks after treatment, their curative effects were observed and compared. Results After treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group was 90% which was higher than that in the control group, and their difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), the Fugl-Meyer score and SS-QOL score were significantly increased in both groups, the VAS score was significantly decreased in the two groups, the range of increase or decrease in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, and their difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Extracorporeal shock wave combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, which has higher total effective rate, can significantly improve not only the symptoms of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke, upper extremity function and pain symptoms, but also life quality of patients. Thus, it is worthy of clinical application.