title: 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.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction rate with low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LiESWT) in Australian men with erectile dysfunction (ED), as LiESWT induces neovascularisation and potentially enhances penile perfusion and improves erectile function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label single-arm prospective study of patients with ED with five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores of >12 at baseline were enrolled after informed consent. Patient demographics, change in IIEF-5 and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) scores, and overall satisfaction score (on a 5-point scale) were recorded. Treatment consists of 3000 shockwaves (1000 shockwaves to the distal penis, base of penis and corporal bodies at the perineum) twice weekly for 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had tried and failed oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and most of the patients hah had ED for >18 months [mean (range) 21.8 (6-60) months]. No side-effects to LiESWT were reported. Most patients reported an improvement in IIEF-5 score by 5 points (60%) and EDITS Index score by >50% (70%). Most patients were satisfied (scoring 4 out of 5; 67%) and would recommend the therapy to their friends (80%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LiESWT appears to improve erectile function, is safe and potential plays an important role in penile rehabilitation in men whom failed medical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; St. Andrew's Pelvic Medicine Centre, St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cartmill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: clinical outcomes; erectile dysfunction; erectile function; low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy; patient satisfaction