Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review

Introduction. - Our purpose was to assess the efficacy of low intensity extracorporeal shock waves (SW) for the treatment of organic erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods. - A systematic review of the literature published between 2000 and 2020 was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. We used Medline data with the following key words (MesH): "extracorporeal shock wave therapy"; "erectile dysfunction"; "sexuality". Results. - Nineteen articles were selected: thirteen randomised controlled trial and six metaanalyses. Most of them studied vascular etiology. Low intensity SW is beneficial ED is evaluated by the IIEF, EHS scores and penile hemodynamic. Conclusion. - SW may have a theoretical impact on the vascular etiology of organic DE. Their use in this context is supported by the European Society of urology and the European Society of sexual medecine. However, there are discrepancies in current data to establish a protocol to follow in daily practice. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.