Efficacy and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for treatment of vascular erectile dysfunction in Nigerian men: Report of a study in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Low Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (LI-SWT) has been found to be effective in men with vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) but its efficacy and safety has not been investigated in a  predominantly black population so we sought to study this.

Materials and Methods: Men with vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) were assessed using the five-item  International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score after which they were treated with 12 sessions of LI-  SWT. Treatment efficacy was evaluated immediately after treatment, at 1 month and 6 months after using  the IIEF questionnaire. 30 persons were recruited out of which 22 completed the study.

Results: Mean IIEF score improved from 8.27+2.741 at baseline (pre-treatment) to 10.43 ± 8.43 one  month post treatment and was sustained six months post treatment at mean IIEF score of 10.70 + 8.84. A larger no (86.4%) had an improvement of at least 5 in the IIEF score from baseline to 6 months -post  treatment. None of the participants reported any adverse effects of treatment.

Conclusion: Low intensity shock wave treatment is a useful addition to the medical armamentarium for the treatment of vascular ED.