This is a prospective, uncontrolled, Hypothesis generating study. A total of eight adult male participants experiencing penile insensitivity will be recruited through the Ottawa Hospital's Men's Health Clinic. Participants will receive a Health Canada Class I VED to use daily over a six-month period. The study includes biweekly check-ins and monthly questionnaire assessments (including the IIEF-5 and two custom instruments focused on penile sensitivity) administered via Lime Survey. The primary outcome is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of daily vacuum erection device (VED) therapy over a 6-month period in adult males experiencing penile numbness/insensitivity. Data analysis will focus on feasibility metrics (e.g., adherence rates, completion of assessments) and descriptive statistics. Any changes in questionnaire scores over time will be evaluated using within-subject comparisons (e.g., Wilcoxon signed-rank test), recognizing that findings are preliminary and not generalizable due to the lack of a control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
8
A vacuum erection device (VED) is a mechanical device designed to enhance blood flow to the corpora cavernosa by creating a vacuum environment. When combined with a constriction ring at the base of the penis, VEDs can promote and sustain an erection. This is a prospective, uncontrolled, hypothesis-generating pilot study. Eight adult male participants with penile insensitivity will be enrolled and asked to use a VED daily for six months. Monthly self-reported questionnaire data and biweekly follow-up calls will be used to assess feasibility and to collect exploratory outcome data.
The Ottawa Hospital
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGFeasibility of recruitment to study
To evaluate the feasibility of recruitment to a study examining the daily use of vacuum erection device (VED) therapy over a 6-month period in adult males with penile numbness or reduced sensation. Feasibility will be assessed via the ability to enroll subjects within a 1 year period and by treatment adherence and completion rates. Treatment adherence/completion will be assessed during standardized study visits
Time frame: 6 months
Acceptability of treatment
Acceptability will be evaluated through patient-reported experiences using online questionnaires. Changes in penile sensation will be measured using patient-reported outcomes of erectile function (standardized questionnaires) and a subjective Likert scale of penile numbness collected at baseline, throughout the study and at the end of the 6-month intervention
Time frame: 6 months
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