Low-intensity shock wave therapy for the treatment of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a narrative review of technical considerations and treatment outcomes

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to achieve and/or sustain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. An estimated 30–50% of men between the ages of 40–70 years of age suffer from moderate or severe ED based on data from the United States and Europe (1,2). Treatment begins with lifestyle modification followed by medical therapy with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i). In medication refractory patients, or in those with intolerable side effects, published guidelines encourage clinicians to discuss established treatment such as vacuum erection devices, self-administered intracavernosal injection of erectogenic agents, intraurethral suppositories, and penile prosthesis placement (3).

Over the past several years, there has been considerable interest in the concept of “regenerative” therapies for ED treatment. This is logical, as ED results in anatomic and functional changes to the erectile tissue characterized by progressive cavernosal fibrosis (4). Regenerative treatments include injections of stem cells, platelet rich plasma, and low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT). There is amassing animal data suggesting that these approaches may result in angiogenesis and neurogenesis, thereby “restoring” dysfunctional erectile tissue (5). To date there is limited human data to support regenerative therapies as a reliable treatment for ED. Also, the patient characteristics associated with treatment success are unclear. This has not stopped a barrage of clinics throughout the world from offering regenerative therapies for ED, sometimes with unsubstantiated claims of benefit, aggressive marketing campaigns, and exorbitant out of pocket fees (6).

Shock wave therapy (SWT) has been widely used for many years to treat many conditions. It was first described 40 years ago for the treatment of renal stones (7) and later for bone non-unions (8), chronic wounds (9), ischemic heart disease (10) and more recently for sexual dysfunction including Peyronie’s Disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) (11,12). High-energy SWT (10–20 kV) is used to fragmentize urinary tract stones whereas SWT using lower energy settings (<0.2 mJ/mm²) has been proposed to treat other conditions based on animal model data showing potential regenerative properties through angiogenesis and neurogenesis (7,8).

Due to the minimally-invasive nature of this approach, SWT is an attractive treatment modality for many patients and clinicians. Of the ED regenerative therapies, LiSWT has the largest body of literature, including several randomized-controlled trials and meta-analyses (9). The results are somewhat varied, and there inherent challenges in deciphering treatment outcomes due to variations in treatment protocols (energy settings, number of shocks delivered, duration of therapy, etc.) and patient populations. Also, not all shockwave technologies are created equal and many of the devices used in commonplace are unlikely to exert any effect on erectile tissue (10). Given the controversy and lack of clarity surrounding LiSWT, as well as the increasing number of clinicians who are offering LiSWT within and outside various research protocols, herein we sought to provide a comprehensive review of LiSWT for the treatment of vasculogenic ED with emphasis on mechanism of action, device technology, published data, and future considerations (11). We present the following article in accordance with the Narrative Review Checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-1286).

Mechanism of action

A shockwave refers to an acoustic disturbance with the ability to (I) carry energy, and (II) propagate through a medium (10,12). The waveform itself is characterized by a high peak pressure which is achieved rapidly, and a subsequent pressure decay. The wave causes local tissue compression followed by expansion related to the tensile force of the involved tissue (13). This creates tissue stress which is hypothesized to induce neovascularization and neuronal regeneration, in part through recruitment and activation of local progenitor cells (14,15).

In normal physiological conditions, vascular endothelial cells (EC) are frequently exposed to fluid shear stress created by turbulent blood flow. The forces induce cellular changes through a process known as “mechanotransduction”, which is defined as a (bio)chemical response to mechanical stimuli (16). Mechanotransduction modulates EC physiology via intracellular and extracellular signaling pathways, mainly mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) leading to angiogenic gene expression in ECs (17,18).

Through effects on local tissue, SWT is hypothesized to mimic fluid shear stress, stimulating VEGF and other local factor expression to enhance local angiogenesis, particularly at low energy settings (19). Hatanaka et al. demonstrated in vitro that SWT increased levels of VEGF and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and that caveolin-1 and ß₁-integrin, constitutive proteins of caveolae, which are invaginated organelles found in the plasma membrane and responsible for cell migration, are integral for SWT-induced angiogenesis (20). Also, Sokolakis et al. found that LiSWT was associated with increased VEGF expression in the erectile tissue of naturally aged rats, as well as Liu et al., in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (21,22). Assaly et al., in a study involving rats with hypertension-induced ED, showed that LiSWT enhanced angiogenesis in cavernosal tissue as shown by CD31 immunohistochemical expression, but there was no significant upregulation of NOS (23). The authors suggested that, although nitric oxide (NO) presence is known to be fundamental for physiological penile erection (and the pathway by which PDE5is act), the effect of LiSWT may be in part NO-independent and therefore beneficial for patients with vasculogenic ED and insufficient PDE5i response.

Mechanical perturbations may also induce neuronal regeneration (“neurogenesis”) through local mechanisms (24). In a rat model of pelvic neurovascular injuries, Li et al. demonstrated, both in vitro and in vivo, that LiSWT improved erectile function not only by increasing the generation of new blood vessels but also by penile nerve regeneration through increased number and proliferation of Schwann cells, which are critical for nerve growth and regeneration (25). Lin et al. demonstrated that LiSWT also has the ability to activate local penile progenitor cells in a rat model, suggesting another mechanism for tissue regeneration through vascular and neuronal regeneration (26).

In conclusion, the mechanisms underlying LiSWT in the context of erectile tissue regeneration are not fully understood but likely involve angiogenesis and neurogenesis, namely mediated by growth factor expression and nerve regeneration. Local activation and recruitment of progenitor cells may also play a role. Thus, from a theoretical perspective, this approach, as compared with our standard historical treatment approaches, has the potential to restore erectile function.

Technical specifications

Shock waves are high-pressure acoustic waves characterized by a single rapid and focused pulse followed by a low-tensile phase (10,12). These waves are generated by machines called lithotripters. There are three types of lithotripters in common use: electrohydraulic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric (12,27,28). Electrohydraulic waves are generated by applying high voltage to electrodes to generate a spark. This produces a high-amplitude spherical wave which is then focused by a reflector. Electromagnetic waves are formed by pulling apart a metal membrane away from an electromagnetic coil using a high voltage electric pulse. The rapid forward movement of the membrane creates a planar acoustic pulse, and the shockwave is focused by an acoustic lens or reflector. Piezoelectric technology uses piezoelectric crystals that expand rapidly and synchronously when a high-voltage electric pulse is applied to them, creating a pressure wave. These crystals are distributed in a spherical way to focus the energy and do not require a lens or a reflector. Contemporary lithotripter machines differ from each other regarding specific settings, namely energy flux density (EFD), penetration depth, and frequency (Table 1). Also, each manufacturer has its own recommended protocol, including number and frequency of sessions and number of shocks per session (10,12). Differences amongst machine technologies/protocols and the absence of head-to-head studies make it challenging to determine the superiority of one machine and/or protocol over another.

Table 1 Contemporary lithotripsy technology used in erectile dysfunction
Full table

An important consideration that is often overlooked by patients and practitioners alike is the concept of linear versus radial wave application. This is a distinction that merits further clarification. Radial pressure waves are often described as “standard” shockwaves, but in essence they act similar to sound waves with a lower peak pressure and rapid outward propagation (10,12,29). This results in a much shallower depth of penetration. In contrast, linear (focused) shockwave devices waves have a distinct focal point and a greater depth of penetration. Radial wave generating devices are classified as “class 1 medical devices” by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (29). This means that “professionals” are not required to have additional training prior to offering the therapy to patients and there is limited regulatory oversight. In contrast, linear-wave devices are considered as “class 2 medical devices” and require FDA approval to ensure safety and treatment efficacy in the United States. Currently, the majority of providers in the United States who are offering SWT outside of a rigorous research protocol, and especially those without urologic and sexual dysfunction expertise, are using radial-wave technology (i.e., class 1 medical device), whereas the true clinical benefit may lie in the application of linear-wave technologies (i.e., class 2 medical device) (30). Unfortunately, several of the published study protocols that have evaluated LiSWT do not specify the type of ultrasound applicator probe which has significant implications on the conclusions that can be drawn with respect to one technology over another (10).

Review of published clinical data

Randomized, sham-controlled clinical trials

Vardi et al. first described LiSWT to treat ED in a 2010 pilot study involving 20 men with PDE5i-responsive erectile dysfunction (31). After a one-month period off all oral pharmacotherapy for ED (i.e. washout), participants underwent six sessions of penile LiSWT over a nine-week period. Follow-up at four-weeks revealed a significant increase in International Index of Erectile function-Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) scores, from a mean 13.5 (out of maximum 30 points), to a mean 20.9, P<0.001). These benefits were maintained at three and six-month follow-up, with an average increase of 7.1 points (P=0.001) (31). Improvements in penile hemodynamics were also seen. The authors subsequently carried out the first randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial with 67 men suffering from vasculogenic, PDE5i-responsive ED who were randomized to LiSWT versus a sham (placebo) procedure using a similar protocol to the original pilot study (32). At one-month follow-up, the mean IIEF-EF in the treatment group increased by +6.7 points, compared with +3.0 points for the sham-therapy arm (P=0.032). Moreover, 65% of men in the treatment arm achieved a ≥5-point improvement, compared with 20% in the sham arm (P=0.0001). Once again, penile hemodynamics were significantly improved in the treatment arm.

Since that time, multiple retrospective, single-arm prospective, and randomized-controlled trials have been published. This includes 11 randomized, sham-controlled trials evaluating the impact of LiSWT on men with vasculogenic ED (Table 2) (32-42). Results are somewhat mixed owing in part to differences in patient populations, study design, outcomes assessed, follow-up duration, and the type of shockwave technology utilized. Treatment protocols differ in the number of shockwaves delivered with each treatment, location of the applied shockwaves, energy settings, and the number of treatments administered. Also, as discussed above, the type of shockwave transducer (i.e., linear versus radial) may impact the likelihood that a treatment effect is actually delivered at the level of the target tissue. Many of the available LiSWT included in the published literature have capabilities for both wave-types depending on the transducer (10). Unfortunately, in some instances the specific trandsucer used was not delineated, thereby adding additional uncertainty with the ability to draw definitive conclusions.

Table 2 Randomized, sham-controlled trials evaluating outcomes with low-intensity shockwave lithotripsy for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction
Full table

In total, 7/11 (64%) sham-controlled trials showed a statistically significant increase in IIEF scores in the treatment arm when compared with the control arm. IIEF scores (either IIEF-EF or IIEF-5) in the treatment arm ranged from +1–12.5 points, depending on the specific study (32,35,36,38-42). 3/11 trials (27%) did not show a benefit favoring LiSWT over sham (33,34,37). For example, in their study of 58 patients using a similar shockwave protocol to the original trial by Vardi et al., Yee and colleagues did not identify any significant difference in outcomes, although they did identify a small benefit in subgroup analysis of men with “severe ED” (37). Trials from Fojecki et al. and Olsen et al. similarly failed to show a significant difference in outcomes for LiSWT compared with sham-control (33,34). Motil and colleagues did not include a statistical analysis, but their results appear to favor LiSWT over sham, with >80% of patients in the treatment arm achieving a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in IIEF scores (38). This refers to a change in IIEF scores based on the severity of underlying ED prior to treatment, as defined by Rosen et al. (43).

The majority of randomized trials to date have assessed the effect of LiSWT for vasculogenic ED, but there have been at least two randomized, sham-controlled trials that evaluated treatment outcomes in men suffering from post-pelvic surgery ED. Zewin et al. carried out a study involving 128 men with a history of nerve-sparing cystoprostatectomy due to muscle invasive bladder cancer (44). Patients were randomized to one of three arms: LiSWT-only, PDE5i-only, and no-treatment (control). 76%, 79%, and 61% of patients recovered “potency” at 9-months after cystoprostatectomy, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in IIEF-EF scores amongst all three treatment groups relative to baseline (postoperative), although there was no significant difference in the degree of recovery between the groups. Another study by Baccaglini et al. randomized patients to daily PDE5i (tadalafil 5-mg) starting after catheter removal versus PDE5i plus shockwave starting 6-weeks after radical prostatectomy (45). The primary clinical end-point for this trial was a four-point or greater increase in the mean IIEF-5 score favoring the treatment arm. The median baseline IIEF-5 scores for the treatment and control arm were similar (21 and 22 points, respectively; P=0.510). The study endpoint was defined at 3-weeks after the last LiSWT application or 16 weeks after prostatectomy. As expected, there was a drop in IIEF-5 scores compared with preoperative, but the median IIEF-5 was significant greater for the LiSWT arm (12; IQR 9.3, 15.8) compared with the control arm (10; IQR 7, 11; P=0.006). However, this did not meet the pre-specified study endpoint criteria and the clinical implications of a two-point difference are questionable.

Meta-analyses

Given the variability seen in published outcomes, several groups have attempted to collate the data through meta-analyses to further delineate any beneficial effects with LiSWT on vasculogenic ED (46-53). As is seen in Table 3, despite significant differences in study inclusion criteria and technology considerations, all of the meta-analyses to date have shown a significant increase in IIEF scores (i.e., erectile function) for patients treated with LiSWT, both from baseline and relative to sham therapy. The mean difference (MD) in the IIEF between the treatment and sham arms ranged from approximately +2–4 points. Moreover, Sokolakis and Hatzichristodoulou found that patients treated with shockwave therapy were 8.5 times more likely to achieve a MCID in their IIEF score (43,48).

Table 3 Meta-analyses reviewing outcomes with low-intensity shockwave lithotripsy to treat erectile dysfunction
Full table

Who is likely to benefit from LiSWT?

Several analyses also sought to identify patient and treatment factors associated with improved outcomes. In their systematic review and meta-analysis involving 14 studies (883 patients), Lu et al. showed that the IIEF of patients with mild ED increased significantly after LiSWT relative to sham [mean difference (MD) 2.86; 95% CI: 1.54–4.19; P<0.0001], whereas patients with moderate and severe ED did not show a significant increase (49). IIEF increased more notably when LiSWT was combined with PDE5i use (MD 4.20; 95% CI: 0.16–8.24; P=0.04), supporting combination therapy. In contrast, a recent meta-analysis from Dong et al. found that patients with moderate and/or severe ED experienced greater improvements in their mean IIEF scores relative to patients with mild ED (MD: 3.95; 95% CI: 2.44–5.46; P<0.00001) (53). Regarding technical specifications, the number of shocks per session varied between 1,500 to 5,000, but the biggest improvement was seen with >3,000 (49). EFD varied from 0.09 to 0.25 mJ/mm². In their analysis of 9 studies (n=637 patients), Man and Li found that lower EFD (0.09 vs. 0.1–0.2 mJ/mm²; MD 4.14; 95% CI: 0.87–7.42; P=0.01), increased number of shocks (>3,000 per session; MD 5.11; 95% CI: 3.18–7.05; P=0.0001) and a shorter total treatment course (<6 weeks; MD 3.73; 95% CI: 0.54–6.93; P=0.02) were all associated with improved outcomes.(51) It is important to emphasize that none of the included studies was specifically powered to evaluate these factors.

Discussion

The treatment paradigm for managing vasculogenic ED has remained relatively stagnant for the last two decades. In men who are unresponsive or intolerant of oral medications, we rely on vacuum erection devices, intracavernosal injections, intraurethral suppositories, and the gold-standard penile prosthesis. The latest iteration of the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines shifted the discussion, positing that a rigid “stepwise” approach, wherein a patient was required to try and fail one option before moving on to the next, was preventing many patients from receiving the treatment needed to optimize their sexual function (3). Regenerative therapies have the potential to revolutionize our age-old approaches, given the perpetual push to develop novel, effective, and less invasive treatments for our patients. The underlying mechanisms for these treatments are sound-animal models supporting tissue regeneration by neovascularization and neurogenesis. However, translating these findings into human data with evidence of clinically meaningful positive outcomes is mandatory prior to upending the status quo.

Data continues to amass with respect to LiSWT as a treatment for vasculogenic ED. At least 11 randomized, sham-controlled trials have sought to evaluate treatment outcomes, with >60% showing a statistically significant increase in IIEF scores favoring LiSWT (mean improvement ranging from 1–12.5 points). Studies in other populations such as those with pelvic surgery have shown a benefit as well (35,44). To this end, of the at least eight available meta-analyses, all have supported a statistically significant increase in IIEF-scores with LiSWT (46-53). Due to significant heterogeneity in the study protocols, what remains unknown is what patient characteristics will optimize outcomes with LiSWT. There are some signals from the meta-analyses. For example, Lu et al. found that patients with mild ED had a significant improvement over sham, whereas those with moderate and severe ED did not (49). Also, Sokolakis and Hatzichristodoulou reported that PDE5i responders were more likely to achieve MCID criteria (48). Others such as Clavijo et al. reported conflicting results with respect to baseline IIEF-score and likelihood of response, and there are non-randomized studies showing that PDE5i non-responders may be “salvaged” with LiSWT (50). A recent multi-center, prospective, single-arm series from Palmieri et al. found that LiSWT, when combined with PDE5i therapy, resulted in an average increase in IIEF-EF score of 8.6 points in PDE5i “non-responders” (54). 71% achieved a MCID in their IIEF-EF scores, and 68% had an EHS ≥3 (i.e., rigidity sufficient for penetration). Interestingly, ED symptom duration does not appear to influence results based on a result study from De Oliveira et al. (55).

We must also consider treatment protocols which include potential variations in energy settings, number of applied shocks, and treatment duration. Patel et al. found no difference in treatment success in their phase II trial comparing a similar number of shocks (3,600) delivered over one versus two weeks (56). Kalyvianakis et al. similarly did not identify a significant difference in outcomes based on the number of sessions administered per week (two versus three) and varying energy-flux density (0.05 vs. 0.1 mJ/mm²) (46). In contrast to this, a meta-analysis found that applying a greater number of shocks (at least 3,000) and using a lower EFD (0.09 vs. 0.1–0.2 mJ/mm²) may optimize outcomes (49). Future work must focus on delineating the technical settings that will enhance outcomes for our patients if this therapy is to be considered a mainstay.

A final important caveat when offering a treatment is the longevity of positive results. Put another way—do the beneficial effects persist after the treatment has ceased? As seen in Table 2, the majority of available studies assessed short term outcomes at 1–3 months post-treatment. In their 2018 study, Kitrey et al. sought to further evaluate the persistence of symptom improvement after LiSWT (57). The authors followed 156 patients included in several different previous study protocols. 99/156 patients (64%) were classified as treatment successes at one-month (based on achieving a MCID in IIEF-EF). However, by two years post-treatment, only 53% (53/99) of these original treatment “successes” were able to maintain the beneficial effects of LiSWT without maintenance therapy. 0% of patient with baseline diabetes mellitus or “severe” ED maintained the beneficial effects at two years, as compared to 76% in those with “mild” baseline ED and no diabetes. This underscores the importance of patient selection and pre-treatment counseling to ensure the highest likelihood of success.

There are several national and international organizations that have published guideline recommendations surrounding LiSWT including the AUA (2018), Asia-Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine (APSSM; 2020), European Society of Sexual medicine (ESSM; 2019), and European Association of Urology (EAU; 2020) (3,58-60). All organizations acknowledge LiSWT as a potential treatment for ED with promising early clinical studies. The treatment appears safe with minimal risk for serious adverse events. The majority of adverse events seen in the randomized trials were mild and transient, and there have been no dropouts reported as a result of treatment adverse effects (58). This is true even amongst patients considered higher risk such as those on anti-coagulation or anti-platelet therapy for cardiovascular disease (61). However, due to heterogeneity in the literature surrounding treatment protocols and study populations, further investigation is necessary before we can label LiSWT as “standard of care” outside the scope of clinical research. Accordingly, LiSWT is recommended by the EAU as a first-line treatment alternative in patients with vasculogenic ED who are uninterested or unable to tolerate oral therapy and who are poor PDE5i responders, but this is based on weak evidence (60). The APSSM similarly suggests that LiSWT be offered to men with mild/moderate vasculogenic ED who do or do not respond to PDE5i (level 2; grade b) (58). The AUA and ESSM, in contrast, consider LiSWT as deserving of more investigation or experimental, respectively (3,59).

Conclusions

Vasculogenic ED is common, and regenerative therapies have the potential to transform our historical treatment paradigms. LiSWT is one such approach that, based on promising animal model data, encourages tissue regeneration through various mechanism including angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and progenitor cell recruitment. Several early single-arm studies and multiple randomized, sham-controlled trials support a possible therapeutic benefit for men with vasculogenic ED. Based on the currently available data, LiSWT appears most likely to benefit patients with mild/moderate ED and few medical comorbidities. LiSWT may optimize response to PDE5i or enhance medication response in PDE5i “non-responders”. Linear ultrasound probes (as opposed to radial) should be considered standard of care. They are the only probes that have been consistently shown to benefit patients based on the available literature, although in practice radial shockwave probes are commonplace. Future work is needed to investigate device technologies, therapeutic administrative protocols (number of shocks, treatment duration), and patient characteristics associated with optimal treatment outcomes. In the meantime, appropriate pre-treatment expectations must be discussed at the outset. Patients should be adequately counseled regarding what is known and unknown about LiSWT, particularly as it pertains to treatment protocols and study populations within the context of clinical studies.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Provenance and Peer Review: This article was commissioned by the Guest Editors (Francisco E. Martins and Tobias S. Köhler) for the series “Controversies and Considerations of Penile Surgery” published in Translational Andrology and Urology. The article has undergone external peer review.

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the Narrative Review Checklist. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-1286

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-1286). The series “Controversies and Considerations of Penile Surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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