Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy ineffective for Post-Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction: Study

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-SWT) did not significantly improve erectile dysfunction (ED) in men post-radical prostatectomy when compared to a sham procedure. Fewer than 20% of men in the LI-SWT group achieved erections sufficient for sexual intercourse. 

Even with nerve-sparing procedures, ED is still a serious side effect following radical prostatectomy. According to a 2009 meta-analysis, 58% of patients recovered their erectile function overall following prostatectomy, meaning that a sizable portion of patients still experienced ED after the procedure.

Due to the poor efficacy of current therapies, innovative strategies are desperately needed. For many years, a variety of medical specialties have employed extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT). By encouraging neoangiogenesis and nerve regeneration, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment has demonstrated potential for vasculogenic ED.

Furthermore, there is evidence that shock wave treatment may enhance the way phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors work. Although there is little research on LI-SWT's effects following prostatectomy, the findings are promising. The precise mode of action is still uncertain, though. Thus, to fill a significant need in the available rehabilitation alternatives, this study assessed whether LI-SWT might enhance erectile function in individuals who had undergone a prostatectomy.