ED affects millions of men worldwide, and while medications like sildenafil can provide temporary relief, they don’t address the underlying causes of the condition. That’s where low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT), also known as focused shockwave therapy comes in. This non-invasive treatment has shown lasting results in improving erectile function and overall satisfaction in patients, offering a potential alternative to medications.
If you own a focused device or are considering purchasing one, the chances are that you have considered whether you should add this treatment to your clinic’s repertoire. One of your primary questions would be what can shockwave provide for these patients that they can’t get from medication?
Multiple clinical trials using Storz Duolith focused system have validated the efficacy of Li-ESWT in improving erectile function (Ayala et al, 2017; Chung et al, 2015; Olsen et al, 2015; Tsai et al, 2017). The major advantage of Li-ESWT is the restoration of the ability to have spontaneous erections. Until now however no comparative study of sildenafil versus Li-ESWT has been conducted concerning the satisfaction aspect. In this blog post, we’ll explore the latest research on Li-ESWT and compare its efficacy to sildenafil for ED treatment.
The Treatment Satisfaction in Patients and Their Partners Treated with Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Sildenafil
In a recent study by Wang and Colleagues published this year, researchers performed a comparative analysis of Li-ESWT and sildenafil, to assess ED treatment satisfaction of patients and their partners.
Methodology
The study was a comparative analysis of Li-ESWT and sildenafil for ED treatment. They enrolled 72 participants in the study (42 in the Li-ESWT group and 30 in the sildenafil group). Inclusion criteria were men who had a complaint of ED for at least 6 months. Men with unstable medical conditions (including clinically significant hepatobiliary or renal disease, and unstable cardiovascular disease) or psychiatric condition were excluded. All the participants completed the IIEF-EF and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaires. The primary outcome was the satisfaction of the patients and their partners, as measured by EDITS.
Results
The results showed that Li-ESWT had better satisfaction than on-demand sildenafil in young ED patients and their partners, while efficacy was similar. The study found that Li-ESWT is a valid non-invasive alternative to medications like sildenafil for ED treatment. It has shown comparable efficacy and may even be superior in terms of overall satisfaction. These results are promising and suggest that Li-ESWT could be an effective alternative to
medications for some patients with ED.
Key takeaways from this study
1. Consider focused shockwave as a viable alternative or in addition to PDE5i drugs like sildenafil for men with ED who are seeking treatment.
2. Use standardized subjective outcome measurements (EDITS) to evaluate treatment satisfaction in patients and their partners.
3. Educate patients about the potential limitations of PDE5i drugs like sildenafil in the long-term.
4. Consider the patient’s age, medical history, and preferences when recommending a treatment modality for ED.
Conclusion
For men with erectile dysfunction, it’s important to know that there are alternative treatment options available, beyond medications like sildenafil. This study has demonstrated that focused shockwave is comparable to sildenafil in terms of efficacy and may even be superior in terms of overall
satisfaction. The benefits of focused shockwave include its non-invasive nature, lack of side effects, and potential for long-term improvement in erectile function. If you’re struggling with ED, talk to your healthcare provider about all of your treatment options, including Li-ESWT. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and advocate for yourself. With the right treatment plan, you can regain your sexual health and improve your quality of life!
Benoy Mathew,
Focused Shockwave Specialist,
ED Clinics, UK
References
(Clinical Studies Using STORZ DUOLITH for Erectile Dysfunction) Ayala, H.A.C., Cuartas, J.P.S. and Cleves, D.C., 2017. Impact on the quality of erections
after completing a low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment cycle on a group of 710 patients. Advances in Urology, 2017.
Chung, E. and Cartmill, R., 2015. Evaluation of clinical efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction rate after low‐intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: an Australian first open‐label single‐arm prospective clinical trial. BJU international, 115, pp.46-49.
Olsen, A.B., Persiani, M., Boie, S., Hanna, M. and Lund, L., 2015. Can low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy improve erectile dysfunction? A prospective,
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Scandinavian journal of urology, 49(4), pp.329-333.
Tsai, C.C., Wang, C.J., Lee, Y.C., Kuo, Y.T., Lin, H.H., Li, C.C., Wu, W.J. and Liu, C.C., 2017. Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy can improve erectile function in patients who failed to respond to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. American Journal of Men’s Health, 11(6), pp.1781-1790.
