Efficacy and Safety of Shockwave Therapy for Peyronie’s Disease
Author: Eric Chung
The study explored the effectiveness and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT) for treating Peyronie’s disease (PD), a condition characterized by the formation of fibrous scar tissue in the penis causing painful, curved erections. Conducted as an open-label, single-arm prospective study, it involved men with PD who had been experiencing the condition for more than six months and had not seen improvements from oral medications.
Participants underwent a treatment protocol that delivered 3000 shockwaves directly to the Peyronie’s plaque for 20 minutes, twice a week over six weeks. Key outcomes measured included changes in the curvature and hardness of the penile plaque, improvements in erectile function as assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 score, and overall patient satisfaction.
Results indicated significant therapeutic benefits: 33% of the men experienced an improvement in penile curvature by more than 15 degrees, 60% reported a softening of plaque hardness, and enhancements in penile pain were noted in most cases (4 out of 6 men). Additionally, 20% of participants saw a moderate enhancement in erectile function (a rise of more than five points in the IIEF-5 score). Importantly, the treatment was well-tolerated with no complications reported. Satisfaction levels were high among the participants, with 70% rating their satisfaction at 4 out of 5 and expressing a willingness to recommend this therapy to others.
In conclusion, LiESWT presents a safe and moderately effective treatment option for men with Peyronie’s disease, particularly those who have not benefited from conventional oral treatments, demonstrating high levels of patient satisfaction in the short-term follow-up.