This phase I clinical trial studies how well low intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) improves erectile function in patients who have had nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NS-RP), a type of surgery that attempts to save the nerves near the tissues being removed, for prostate cancer. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a known side effect of the radical prostatectomy procedure. The low intensity shockwave therapy delivers painless electrotherapy pulse to increase blood flow and supply, activation of tissues and wound healing. Using LiSWT after NS-PRP may improve erectile function in men with prostate cancer.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine whether LiSWT following nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NS-RP) improves outcomes in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) supported by cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5i) medication. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine whether LiSWT improves duplex doppler ultrasound (DDUS) flow parameters at 6 months following LiSWT treatment. II. To determine the postoperative durability of any beneficial outcome of LiWST treatment to erectile function. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients undergo nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy per standard of care. Patients then receive LiSWT treatment weekly for 6 weeks, then have a 6 week break, followed by 6 more weekly treatments. Patients also undergo DDUS at baseline and during follow up. ARM II: Patients undergo nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy per standard of care. Patients then receive sham LiSWT treatment weekly for 6 weeks, then have a 6 week break, followed by 6 more weekly treatments. Patients also undergo DDUS at baseline and during follow up.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
8
Undergo nerve-sparing prostatectomy per standard of care
Receive LiSWT
Undergo DDUS
Ancillary studies
Undergo nerve-sparing prostatectomy per standard of care
Receive sham LiSWT
Undergo DDUS
Ancillary studies
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Patient reported sexual function
Will be assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) The IIEF is a15-item questionnaire - each item scored from 0 to 5 - examines five main domains of male sexual function: erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction. Outcomes measured only at 6 months post randomization will be analyzed using analysis of covariance with adjustment for the baseline value.
Time frame: At 6 months post low intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) initiation
Patient reported sexual function
Will be assessed using the Erection Hardness Scale (EHS). The EHS is a single-item validated Likert scale. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval. Outcomes measured only at 6 months post randomization will be analyzed using analysis of covariance with adjustment for the baseline value.
Time frame: At 6 months post low intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) initiation
Change in duplex doppler ultrasound measurement
Will be assessed by penile flow parameters. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval. Outcomes measured only at 6 months post randomization will be analyzed using analysis of covariance with adjustment for the baseline value.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months post LiSWT initiation
Erectile function
Will be assessed using the IIEF, EHS, Sexual Encounter Profile diary and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement survey scores. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval.
Time frame: At 1 month following LiSWT initiation
Erectile function
Will be assessed using the IIEF, EHS, Sexual Encounter Profile diary and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement survey scores. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval.
Time frame: At 3 month following LiSWT initiation
Erectile function
Will be assessed using the IIEF, EHS, Sexual Encounter Profile diary and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement survey scores. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval.
Time frame: At 6 month following LiSWT initiation
Erectile function
Will be assessed using the IIEF, EHS, Sexual Encounter Profile diary and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement survey scores. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval.
Time frame: At 9 month following LiSWT initiation
Erectile function
Will be assessed using the IIEF, EHS, Sexual Encounter Profile diary and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement survey scores. Mixed effect linear regression will be used to model post randomization repeated measurements of continuous outcomes. From the results of the model, will estimate the mean difference between groups at each time point along with a 95% confidence interval.
Time frame: At 12 month following LiSWT initiation
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