Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
03:50
Author Spotlight: Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment
Published on: August 2, 2024
2.4K
Can low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy improve erectile dysfunction? A prospective, randomized,
Anne B Olsen1, Marie Persiani, Sidsel Boie
1Departments of Urology.
Scandinavian Journal of Urology
|December 4, 2014
Summary
Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) significantly improved erectile function in men with organic erectile dysfunction. 57% of men receiving LI-ESWT achieved erections sufficient for intercourse, compared to 9% in the placebo group.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Andrology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a significant number of men.
- Organic ED necessitates effective treatment options.
- Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) is an emerging treatment modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of LI-ESWT for treating organic erectile dysfunction.
- To compare LI-ESWT with placebo in a randomized controlled trial.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study.
- 112 men with organic ED were enrolled.
- Treatment involved five sessions of LI-ESWT or placebo over five weeks.
- Efficacy assessed using Erection Hardness Scale (EHS) and IIEF-15 questionnaire.
Main Results:
- 57% of men in the LI-ESWT group achieved erections sufficient for intercourse without medication, versus 9% in the placebo group (p=0.0001).
- Significant improvement in EHS scores was observed in the active treatment group.
- No significant improvement was noted in the IIEF Erectile Function domain scores.
Conclusions:
- LI-ESWT demonstrates potential as a non-invasive treatment for organic erectile dysfunction.
- A notable percentage of patients experienced functional improvement.
- Further research with longer follow-up and multicenter trials are warranted.
