Visual stimulation facilitates penile responses to vibration in men with and without erectile disorder

This study compared reflexogenic and psychogenic penile responses in men with and without erectile disorder. It was hypothesized that men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction respond minimally to vibrotactile stimulation. An enhancement of penile responses was expected when vibration was combined with erotic film. Patients were 50 men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, 45 men with organic erectile dysfunction, and 50 sexually functional men. The combination of film and vibration resulted in stronger penile responses than the stimuli presented separately. Men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction and sexually functional men did not differ in responses to film and film-and-vibration conditions. As predicted, responses of the 2 groups were different in the vibration condition. Interpretations are provided in terms of attention and appraisal. The findings are relevant to the development of psychophysiological diagnostic procedures.