Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy may improve symptoms among male patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Study

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) type III refers to unexplained chronic pelvic pain in men, often accompanied by irritative voiding symptoms and pain in the groin, genitalia, or perineum, without the presence of pyuria or bacteriuria.

According to a Research Article published in Prostate International, researchers concluded that Introducing extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) as a treatment option for male patients with Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) has proven effective in improving both their pain levels and overall quality of life. ESWT is a valuable addition to the existing treatment options for CPPS, demonstrating both safety and efficacy in clinical practice.
CPPS is a challenging condition that often necessitates multidisciplinary treatment. One of the treatment options is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), but its effectiveness in CPPS is still debated. This study assessed ESWT’s safety and efficacy in male CPPS patients undergoing perineal treatment.
ESWT was administered to the perineum weekly for up to eight weeks. Evaluations were conducted using the International Index for Erectile Function, International Prostate Symptom Score, King’s Health Questionnaire, National Institutes of Health – Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, Visual Analogue Scale, Analgesic Questionnaire, and UPOINT phenotype system. These assessments were performed before and after treatment and at regular intervals during follow-up appointments up to 20 weeks.
Key findings from the study are:
  • Fourteen patients aged between 21 and 85 years were recruited.
  • Thirteen patients completed the study.
  • Researchers reported improvement in the Visual Analogue Scale pain score, Tenderness domain on UPOINT, King’s Health Questionnaire, and National Institutes of Health – Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index scores.
  • There was an improvement in the erectile function domain of the International Index for Erectile Function.
  • Lower urinary tract symptoms improved as assessed on the International Prostate Symptom Score.
  • No side effects were reported after treatment or during follow-up.
In conclusion, ESWT showed significant improvements in pain and quality of life in male CPPS patients; this non-invasive therapy is a safe and effective addition to the existing treatment options for CPPS, based on clinical evidence.
Study limitations include a lack of a control group, a small sample size and slow recruitment.
Reference:
Lee, K., Law, Y. X. T., Shen, L., Pek, X. W. G., Lim, Q., Tan, Y., Chia, J., & Li, M. (2023). Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy of the Perineum for male patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A Pilot Study. Prostate International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prnil.2023.11.001

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