Thrice/week on par with twice/week ultrasound therapy for erectile dysfunction

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy three times per week has comparable therapeutic effects and safety as that of a twice-a-week session for mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) in young and healthy men, reports a study.

“Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy displays similar efficacy and safety for mild-to-moderate ED when administered thrice or twice per week for 16 sessions,” the authors said. “This study provides two options to suit patients’ needs.”

This randomized, open-label, parallel-group, noninferiority clinical trial was conducted in seven hospitals in China involving 323 patients with mild-to-moderate ED. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 into thrice (3/W) or twice per week (2/W) groups. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound was applied on each side of the penis for 16 sessions.

Response rates were similar between 3/W and 2/W groups (62.0 percent vs 62.5 percent, respectively), and treatment effect in the former was noninferior to that of the latter, with rate difference lower bound of ‒0.01 percent (95 percent confidence interval [CI], ‒0.11 to 0.10) within the acceptable margin (‒14.0 percent).

There was also no significant between-group difference in Erection Hardness Score (EHS), Sexual Encounter Profile, Global Assessment Question, and Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire.

The International Index of Erectile Function score significantly increased from baseline in both groups (3/W: from 16.8 to 20.7; 2/W: from 17.8 to 21.7), as did the percentage of patients with EHS ≥3 (3/W: from 54.9 percent to 84.0 percent; 2/W: from 59.5 percent to 83.5 percent).

No significant between-group difference was seen in the response rates after controlling for strata factors and homogeneous tests. In addition, no treatment-related adverse events were observed.

“This therapy warrants further investigation of its potential value in rehabilitation of ED,” the authors said.