Efficacy and safety of novel low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in treating mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical study.

In our previous study, a novel low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapeutic device has been shown to improve erectile function non-invasively in a diabetic-induced erectile dysfunction (ED) animal model.

In order to investigate the efficacy and safety of LIPUS in the clinical treatment of patients with ED, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-treated, controlled clinical study was conducted at five medical centers, and 120 patients with mild to moderate ED were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized into a sham-treated control group (40 patients) or a LIPUS-treated group (80 patients). LIPUS or sham treatment was applied to both sides of the penis shaft and crus for 5 min in each area, twice a week for four weeks. Assessment of efficacy and safety were evaluated using IIEF-5, Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP)-questionnaires 2/3, Global Assessment Question (GAQ), Erectile Hardness Score (EHS), Erection Quality Scale (EQS) score, and pain assessment [Visual Analogue Scale/Score (VAS)].

Ten patients in LIPUS treatment group and 6 patients in sham treatment control group were excluded and the dropout rate is 13.33%. Response to treatment was identified as IIEF-5 score increased more than 2/3/4 points of post-treatment (12W) compared to pre-treatment (0W). The response rate in treatment group was 54/80 (67.50%), which was significantly higher than control group 8/40 (20.00%) at 12 weeks (FAS analysis). The percentage of patients with positive answers to SEP-3 (successful vaginal intercourse) were 58.97%, 64.1%, and 73.08% 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment which were significantly higher than 28.95%, 31.58%, and 28.95% respectively in control group (FAS, P<0.05). The positive responsive rates for GAQ in treatment group were about 2 to 3 times of that in control group (P<0.05). No treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were found, including local petechia or ecchymosis and hematuria.

Current study indicates that LIPUS can safely and effectively treat patients with mild to moderate ED without significant AEs, which is related to the mechanical force of LIPUS and can restore the pathological changes of the corpus cavernosum. LIPUS is a promising alternative treatment for ED treatment in the near future, while further research is remanded.

Translational andrology and urology. 2019 Aug [Epub]

Wanshou Cui, Huixi Li, Ruili Guan, Meng Li, Bicheng Yang, Zhanwei Xu, Maofan Lin, Long Tian, Xiaodong Zhang, Bao Li, Weiguang Liu, Zhilong Dong, Zhiping Wang, Tao Zheng, Weixing Zhang, Guiting Lin, Yinglu Guo, Zhongcheng Xin

Andrology Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China., Wanbeili Medical instrument Co., Ltd., Beijing 102200, China., Department of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing 100020, China., Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, China., Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China., Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China., Knuppe Molecular Urology Laboratory, Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.