Clinical evidence for low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT)
Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (Li-ESWT) has evolved from being a subject of clinical trials to an established treatment option for erectile dysfunction (ED). Numerous double-blind studies have confirmed its efficacy, leading to its approval in over 20 countries and its application in thousands of clinics globally. The treatment’s success has been well-documented, with a significant body of research now supporting its use, as evidenced by over 25 studies listed on ClinicalTrials.gov. The distinction between focused and radial shock waves remains crucial, influencing treatment protocols and outcomes. Li-ESWT has become a recognized, non-invasive method for improving erectile function, especially for ED of vascular origin.
Scientific papers:
Low-intensity shockwave therapy, plasma injections efficacious for erectile dysfunction
Kevin Kunzmann, Urology Times, October 2024
LiSWT and PRP independently and combined significantly improved IIEF scores in ED treatment compared to control therapy.
LiSWT was the most effective standalone treatment, with a mean IIEF score difference of 3.4 versus control.
Esther M Medrano-Sánchez, Belén Peña-Cantonero, Paloma Candón-Ballester, María Blanco-Díaz, Esther Díaz-Mohedo. J Pers Med. 2024 Feb 4;14(2):177.
Findings indicate that overall, Li-ESWT appears as a safe, promising option for vascular ED, enhancing erectile function.
REBECCA SHIPKIN, MD, SHALINI SOLANKI, MD, AND JENNIFER AMICO, MD, MPH, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey. October 2022; 106(4): 448-449
Shockwave therapy, a noninvasive treatment that applies extracorporeal shock waves to the penile shaft, can provide mild to moderate improvement in patients with erectile dysfunction of varying etiologies, including vascular, neurogenic, and procedural causes. It can also benefit patients for whom previous medical therapies were not effective.
Jamil Ghahhari, MD, Alessio Faieta, Urological Nurse… Department of Urology, Hesperia Hospital, CUrE Group, Modena, Italy – 31 March 2022
A retrospective national, multi-institutional study was performed to compare the effects of different shockwave technologies in ED patients.All of the subjects underwent 8 consecutive weekly physical treatments with SWT under either a focused or non-focused regimen: 3,000 shocks per session at 0.09mJ/mm2 and 10,000 shocks per session at15 Hz and 90 mJ, respectively.
Solomon Hayon, Evan J Panken, Nelson E Bennett April 2024
A summary of published meta-analysis studies of LiSWT for ED, and review the treatment protocols from randomized sham-control trials published in the last 10 years with evaluation of protocols.
Eric Chung, Ross Cartmill – August 2021
This long-term study showed the observed clinical improvement in EF continues to deteriorate but appears to plateau at 40%clinical efficacy at 48–60 months after completion of LIESWT. The absence of penile pain and deformity at 5-year follow-up supports the long-term safety data ofLIESWT in men with ED.
Men’s Power-Pressure Wave ErectileRegeneration-Therapy: an Early Assessment
Jason Perelman and Vaughan DanielsHepnar – 2017
This study was to evaluate low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LISWT) for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) used as a first line treatment in many parts of the world as a viable alternative to oral, on-demand, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors(PDE5i). It concluded that non-invasive low intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT) has been shown to significantly improve erectile function in men previously PDE5i dependent.
Angulo, Arance, de Las Heras, Meilán,Esquinas, Andrés – October 2017
Meta-analysis of literature concludes that treatment with LISW for erectile dysfunction is effective, both in the short and medium term. LISW has been described as more effective than placebo in the short term. The long-term efficacy data are insufficient.
Natalie Oginski, Hendrik Apel, Mario Richterstetter, Verena Lieb, Christian Fiebig, Peter J Goebell, Bernd Wullich, Danijel Sikic – Feb 2022
Li-ESWT was performed in 50 patients suffering from ED by applying 3,000 shockwaves once a week over a period of 6weeks. Treatment success was defined as an increase in the International Index ofErectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score by ≥5points or an Erectile Hardness Score (EHS)of ≥3 points. IIEF-5 and EHS were measured at baseline and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. A significantly improved IIEF-5 score could be achieved in men with cardiovascular risk factors without cardiovascular risk factors showed no therapeutic benefit from Li-ESWT
Zhihua Lu, Guiting Lin, Amanda Reed-Maldonado, Chunxi Wang, Yung-ChinLee, Tom F. Lue – 2016
This review and meta-analysis concludes that the studies presented encouraging results, regardless of variation in LI-ESWT setup parameters or treatment protocols, suggesting that LI-ESWT could significantly improve the IIEF and EHS of ED.