low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction- 4 arms

Conditions: Erectile Dysfunction

Summary: low intensity shock waves(lisw) have been proven in animal studies to induce local growth of new blood vessels. the investigators hypothesized that lisw therapy could improve the symptoms of patients with erectile dysfunction resulting from a problem of blood supply who respond to oral therapy (pde-5 inhibitors). the current study will check 4 different arm.

at the first meeting the patient will receive a full explanation of the study, the potential efficacy and risks. after that the patient will be asked to sign an informed consent form, and will be asked about general medical condition and any problems related to sexual dysfunction. than the patient's sexual function will be assessed by sexual function questionnaires. the criteria for inclusion and exclusion will be reviewed, as well as physical examination. during the visit, the patient will be assigned to one arm of the study (random), and by the arm he belongs he will receive an explanation about this procedure. then shall obtain reporting sexual encounter diaries (sep) and will be asked to avoid using pde5i's for a month (washout), then it would be the first visit. at the first visit (visit 1) the patient will be questioning the sexual function questionnaires without pde5i's and will pass examination performance endothelial - fmd, the test takes about 10 minutes, it is not an invasive test (not involved in inserting an instrument or any medication) and is painless. the patient may be asked to also undergo doppler ultrasound. at the end of the visit 1 the patient will begin treatment series and will continue to study under the arm belongs, as described: 1.series of 12 treatments, in which the subject will be treated twice a week for 3 weeks (6 treatments), then would be discontinuation of the study for 3 weeks, and at the end of this period will be treated twice a week for 3 weeks (6 treatments). 2.series of 12 treatments, in which the subject will be treated twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks, without intermission. 3.series of 8 treatments, in which the subject will be treated twice a week for two weeks (4 treatments), then would be discontinuation of the study for 3 weeks, and at the end of this period will be treated twice a week for two weeks (4 treatments). 4.series of 6 treatments, in which the subject will be treated once a week for 3 weeks (3 treatments), then would be discontinuation of the study for 3 weeks, and at the end of this period will be treated once a week for 3 weeks (3 treatments). four weeks after the treatment series ends the patient will come for another visit will be asked to fill in questionnaires and perform the fmd test again.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * ed for more than six months in duration. * at least 50% unsuccessful sexual intercourses for 4 attempts at 4 different days. * previous positive experience with pde5iswithin the past six months. * a minimum of two sexual attempts per month. * an iief-ed domain score of ≥19, post screening pde5i intake. * an iief-ed domain score of ≥17 and a rigidity score ≥ 3 , post screening with pde5i intake * a rigidity score ≥ 3 post screening pde5i intake. * a stable heterosexual relationship with the same partner for more than three months. * delta iief-ed domain score ≤5 points on visit 1 (after 1 month wash out) compared to the iief-ed domain score on screening. exclusion criteria: * prior prostate surgery. * any cause of ed other than of vascular etiology. * any unstable medical or psychiatric condition, spinal cord injury, or penile anatomical abnormalities including peyrone's disease. * clinically significant chronic hematological disease. * cardiovascular conditions that prevent sexual activity. * history of heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening arrhythmia within 6 months prior to enrollment into the study. * cancer within the past five years. * use of anti-androgens, or oral or injectable androgens * use of any other treatments for ed that includes oral medications, vacuum devices, constrictive devices, injections, or urethral suppositories within seven days of screening. * hormonal, neurologic, or psychological pathology.