Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

Overview

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) has been deemed "a safe and well-tolerated procedure but its efficacy for the treatment of ED is doubtful and deserves more investigation" by the European Society of Sexual Medicine. In a similar manner, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and American Urological Association have put forth guideline statements recommending additional investigation of this treatment modality.2 The current clinical armamentarium only treats the symptoms of erectile dysfunction without improving upon the underlying pathophysiology. LiSWT has been used effectively in musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular applications. Animal studies have shown improvements in angiogenesis and stem cell recruitment in other systems (cardiac and musculoskeletal) using shockwave therapy. It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction since 2010 and is widely used in Europe and throughout the world. It is gaining widespread acceptance in the United States with a relative paucity of data in regards to its effectiveness. While the majority of studies and meta-analyses show improvements in standardized erectile dysfunction questionnaires (IIEF/SHIM-Sexual Health Inventory in Men, International Index of Erectile Function-5) the durability remains unknown and many have lacked a sham-arm. In addition, many studies have failed to assess a population of men who have highly prevalent erectile dysfunction, those men undergoing prostate cancer treatment. This is a prospective, randomized, single blind, sham-controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) on symptomatic ED patients in three distinct patient populations. LiSWT has shown the potential to improve baseline erectile function but requires further study, which is the aim of this investigation.

It is estimated that about 1 in 10 adult males suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) on a long-term basis. Oral therapies, including PDE5I, may be considered first-line therapies for the majority of patients with ED because of potential benefits and lack of invasiveness. This is a prospective, randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy on symptomatic ED patients in three distinct patient populations. The first arm of the study will be those men with erectile dysfunction as defined by IIEF score (International Index of Erectile Function-5). These men will either have PDE5i refractory or responsive erectile dysfunction. Subjects will receive either Sham treatment (no ultrasound energy delivered via a Sham probe) or LiSWT for erectile dysfunction. Follow up will occur at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months following the end of treatment. Effectiveness will be measured by change in IIEF/SHIM (IIEF/SHIM-Sexual Health Inventory in Men, International Index of Erectile Function-5) score and EHS (Erection Hardness Score) score. The Sexual Health Inventory in Men (also referred to as International Index of Erectile Function-5) is scored as follows: 22-25 No erectile dysfunction 17-21 Mild erectile dysfunction 12-16 Mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction 8-11 Moderate erectile dysfunction 5-7 Severe erectile dysfunction The patient responds to the following questions: Instructions Each question has 5 possible responses. Circle the number that best describes your own situation. Select only 1 answer for each question. Over the past 6 months: 1. How do you rate your confidence that you could keep an erection? Very low (1), Low (2), Moderate (3), High (4), Very high (5) 2. When you had erections with sexual stimulation, how often were your erections hard enough for penetration (entering your partner)? Almost never or never (1), A few times (much less than half the time) (2), Sometimes (About half the time) (3), Most times (much more than half the time) (4), Almost always or always (5) 3. During sexual intercourse, how often were you able to maintain your erection after you had penetrated (entered) your partner? Almost never or never (1), A few times (much less than half the time) (2), Sometimes (About half the time) (3), Most times (much more than half the time) (4), Almost always or always (5) 4. During sexual intercourse, how difficult was it to maintain your erection to completion of intercourse? Extremely difficult (1), Very difficult (2), Difficult (3), Slightly difficult (4), Not difficult (5) 5. When you attempted sexual intercourse, how often was it satisfactory for you? Almost never or never (1), A few times (much less than half the time) (2), Sometimes (About half the time) (3), Most times (much more than half the time) (4), Almost always or always (5) An increase or decrease from baseline indicates improving or worsening erectile function. The Erection Hardness score is another tool to evaluate erectile function and firmness. It is scored as follows: 0-Penis does not enlarge 1. Penis is larger, but not hard 2. Penis is hard, but not hard enough for penetration 3. Penis is hard enough for penetration, but not completely hard 4. Penis is completely hard and fully rigid These patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into either the Sham or active treatment groups in which a device called Duolith by Storz will be used to deliver shockwaves to the penile tissue. The Duolith device is FDA-approved for treatment of musculoskeletal disorders including plantar fasciitis but has more recently been investigated in erectile dysfunction in both the United States and abroad. The Duolith device is used to deliver low intensity shockwaves to the penile tissue. LiSWT (Linear Shockwave Therapy) utilizes energy in the ultrasonic range. The focused energy, when applied to tissue, has been postulated to improve stem cell recruitment and promote angiogenesis. This has been demonstrated in animal modes. The second population of patients will be those who are planning to undergo treatment for prostate cancer. In a similar manner, men will be randomized to either the Sham or active treatment groups. Men will be treated prior to undergoing definitive treatment for prostate cancer to assess the effectiveness in LiSWT as a means of erectile preservation prior to prostate cancer treatment. The third population of patients will be those who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer. The investigators will compare IIEF scores and EHS scores in men who have undergone prostatectomy or radiation therapy. Again, there will be a sham and treatment group. In addition to assessing the efficacy of LiSWT in these populations of men, the study aims also to substantiate the safety profile of the Duolith device. Safety is to be assessed by the frequency of side effects during treatment, as well as the occurrence of anticipated and unanticipated adverse events during and from treatment up to follow-ups. The average and standard deviation of all relevant variables, including demographic and baseline characteristics, primary and secondary outcomes will be calculated.