title: Pelvic floor exercises for erectile dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the role of pelvic floor exercises as a way of restoring erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 55 men aged > 20 years who had experienced erectile dysfunction for > or = 6 months were recruited for a randomized controlled study with a cross-over arm. The men were treated with either pelvic floor muscle exercises (taught by a physiotherapist) with biofeedback and lifestyle changes (intervention group) or they were advised on lifestyle changes only (control group). Control patients who did not respond after 3 months were treated with the intervention. All men were given home exercises for a further 3 months. Outcomes were measured using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), anal pressure measurements and independent (blinded) assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 months, the erectile function of men in the intervention group was significantly better than in the control group (P < 0.001). Control patients who were given the intervention also significantly improved 3 months later (P < 0.001). After 6 months, blind assessment showed that 40% of men had regained normal erectile function, 35.5% improved but 24.5% failed to improve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that pelvic floor exercises should be considered as a first-line approach for men seeking long-term resolution of their erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: The Somerset Nuffield Hospital, Taunton, UK. grace.dorey@virgin.net
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dorey
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Speakman
authors.forename: Roger C L
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Feneley
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swinkels
authors.forename: Christopher D R
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003376:Counseling; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric