An initial study on the effect of functional electrical stimulation in erectile dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately 150 million men worldwide. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy has shown a high regenerative capacity for smooth muscle cells and, therefore, is being increasingly adopted. FES can be a beneficial treatment option when the cause of ED is related to degeneration of cavernous smooth muscle. To evaluate the impact of FES on erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction. Twenty-two patients with ED participated in this randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: intervention (IG) or control (CG). IG participants underwent FES therapy (50 Hz/500 µs) for a total of 4 weeks, divided into two weekly sessions lasting 15 min each, with intensity lower than the motor threshold. CG participants were treated with placebo FES and followed the same routine as the IG. Erectile function was assessed by the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Erection Hardness Score (EHS), applied before and after treatment, and quality of life, by the WHOQOL questionnaire. Statistically significant differences in IIEF-5 and EHS were found between the IG and CG after treatment (p < 0.05), as well as a within-group difference in the IG when comparing the post-treatment periods (p < 0.0001) The WHOQOL revealed a significant difference between CG and IG after treatment (p < 0.05), as well as a within-group difference in the IG after treatment (p < 0.0001), except in the Environment domain, in which there was no difference between the pre- and post-treatment periods (50.9 ± 2.8 pre vs. 52.3 ± 3.1 post). This trial showed that FES therapy may improve erectile function and quality of life in men with ED.

Comparative Effectiveness of Electrical Stimulation and Aerobic Exercise in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…This is consistent with the findings of previous studies. For instance, Carboni et al ( 19 ) reported improvement in erectile function in individuals with ED following 4-weeks of functional electrical stimulations. A similar finding has been reported by Kayigil et al ( 33 ) and Van Kampen et al ( 18 ), who concluded that electrical stimulation plays an important role in the rehabilitation of ED.…”

“…Sample size and study population : The sample size was calculated using the G*Power version 3.9.1. The Effect Size (ES) used for calculating the sample size was obtained from the previous study ( 19 ) using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) primary outcome. The probability level (α), the power (p) and the Effect Size (ES) used for the calculation were then set at 0.05, 0.95 and 3.3 respectively which yielded a sample size of 4 participants per group (total sample size was 8) using independent ttest for between-group analysis.…”

“…A score above 21 was considered as a normal erectile function and a score at or below this value was considered as ED. Overall, according to this scale, ED was classified into four categories: severe (1-7), moderate (8)(9)(10)(11), moderate to mild (12)(13)(14)(15)(16), mild (17)(18)(19)(20)(21), and no ED (22-25) (23).…”

“…Moreover, exercise may also not be very effective if nervous affectation is implicated in the pathophysiology of individual's ED. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of penile electrical stimulation in the management of ED (11,(18)(19)(20). Also reported was a randomized control trial to find out the efficacy of magnetic stimulation of the cavernous nerve for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which proved to be effective in producing increased intercorporal pressure and penile tumescence and rigidity (21).…”

Avaliação familiar de paciente idoso renal crônico: Relato de experiência

“…As intervenções fisioterapêuticas fornecem métodos não invasivos e indolores, que associados à compreensão da fisiologia da ereção buscam beneficiar os tratamentos para DE. O método FES tem demonstrado um efeito regenerativo sobre o endotélio, com a liberação de óxido nítrico, nesse sentido, Carboni et al (2018) configuraram um estudo para contribuir com a hipótese da regeneração da musculatura lisa do corpo cavernoso e resultar no retorno venoso da função erétil. No estudo com 22 pacientes, com intervenção de FES (50Hz/500µs) por um total de 4 semanas, revelou o método estatisticamente significativo na função erétil, além de benéfico na qualidade de vida.…”