Examining Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Prostatitis
Authors: Ioannis Mykoniatis, Dimitrios Kalyvianakis, Filimon Zilotis, Paraskevi Kapoteli, Agrippina Fournaraki, Evangelos Poulios, Dimitrios Hatzichristou
Chronic prostatitis type IIIb/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) has lacked an effective treatment method. However, a recent double-blind clinical trial examined the potential benefits of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) compared to a sham treatment for CP/CPPS patients.
The study involved randomized patients, with some receiving active LiST treatment and others receiving a visually identical sham treatment. LiST involved 5000 shockwaves per session with a specific energy flux density. Both groups underwent six sessions over several weeks.
The results showed promising outcomes for LiST treatment. Patients who received LiST reported significant improvements in pain, micturition (urination), and quality of life compared to those who received the sham treatment. The benefits of LiST were consistent and persisted throughout the follow-up periods at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.
Parameters such as urinary symptoms, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores did not differ significantly between the LiST and sham groups. However, there was a noticeable improvement in the pain-domain score, indicating a positive impact on pain reduction.
Importantly, LiST was found to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure without any reported side effects. It could be performed without anesthesia, making it a convenient option for CP/CPPS patients.
In conclusion, LiST demonstrated its potential as a safe and effective treatment for CP/CPPS, significantly reducing pain and improving quality of life. The absence of side effects and the possibility of repeated treatments make LiST an encouraging choice for patients dealing with CP/CPPS.