Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy improves symptoms of erectile dysfunction:A preliminary study

MA Meng-fei; HE Jun-hua; ZHAO Xiao-dong; HU Jun; WANG Shi-hao; LAI Yu-qi; DONG Ning; JIN Xiao-xu; DONG Jie; XU Song

doi:10.13263/j.cnki.nja.2023.03.007

Abstract：Objective:To verify the effect and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy(Li-ESWT)in improving the symptoms of ED,and provide some reference for further related large-scale clinical trials.Methods:Twenty-six patients diag-nosed with ED received Li-ESWT with an energy of 0.09 mJ/mm2 for 20 minutes once a week for 6 four-week courses.Before and at 3,6,9,and 12 months after treatment,we obtained the IIEF-5 and Erectile Hardness Scale(EHS)scores of the patients using question-naires,recorded the incidence of treatment-related adverse reactions,compared the erectile function of the patients before and after treatment,and evaluated the effect and safety of Li-ESWT in improving ED-related symptoms.Results:Compared with the baseline,the IIEF-5 scores of the patients were significantly increased(P＜0.01)while the EHS scores slightly increased at 3 months after Li-ESWT treatment(P＞0.05),both IIEF-5 and EHS scores were dramatically increased at 6 months(P＜0.01),and both signifi-cantly higher than at 3 months.At 9 months,EHS scores remained remarkably higher than the baseline(P＜0.01)although IIEF-5 scores slightly lower than at 6 months.At 12 months,however,IIEF-5 scores decreased,though still significantly higher than the base-line(P＜0.01),and EHS scores became lower than at 6 and 9 months(P＜0.05)but still markedly higher than before treatment(P＜0.05).Adverse reactions observed during the intervention mainly included pruritus(4.35％),pain(2.90％),paresthesia(2.17％),and petechiae/ecchymosis(2.90％).Conclusion:Li-ESWT can increase the IIEF-5 and EHS scores and improve the clinical symptoms of ED patients,with a low incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment.