Low Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction (NCT04434352)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) has been deemed "a safe and well-tolerated procedure but its efficacy for the treatment of ED is doubtful and deserves more investigation" by the European Society of Sexual Medicine. In a similar manner, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and American Urological Association have put forth guideline statements recommending additional investigation of this treatment modality.2 The current clinical armamentarium only treats the symptoms of erectile dysfunction without improving upon the underlying pathophysiology. LiSWT has been used effectively in musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular applications. Animal studies have shown improvements in angiogenesis and stem cell recruitment in other systems (cardiac and musculoskeletal) using shockwave therapy. It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction since 2010 and is widely used in Europe and throughout the world. It is gaining widespread acceptance in the United States with a relative paucity of data in regards to its effectiveness. While the majority of studies and meta-analyses show improvements in standardized erectile dysfunction questionnaires (IIEF/SHIM-Sexual Health Inventory in Men, International Index of Erectile Function-5) the durability remains unknown and many have lacked a sham-arm. In addition, many studies have failed to assess a population of men who have highly prevalent erectile dysfunction, those men undergoing prostate cancer treatment. This is a prospective, randomized, single blind, sham-controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) on symptomatic ED patients in three distinct patient populations. LiSWT has shown the potential to improve baseline erectile function but requires further study, which is the aim of this investigation.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (8 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (10 items).
Location: University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- History of extensive pelvic surgery ever.
- Past radiation therapy of the pelvic region within 12 months prior to enrollment.
- Recovering from any non-prostate related cancer within 12 months prior to enrollment.
- Neurological disease which affects erectile function at the discretion of the investigator.
- Anatomical malformation of the penis, including Peyronie's disease.
- Testosterone level \<300 within 3 month prior to enrollment.
- HgbA1C level \> 7.5% within 3 month prior to enrollment.
- History of spinal cord injury.
- Recovering from any non-prostate cancer malignancy within 12 months prior to enrollment.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.