Vibrotactile stimulation enhances sexual response in sexually functional men: a study using concomitant measures of erection.

The role of vibrotactile stimulation on the penis in producing erection was investigated in 34 sexually functional men. Subjects were presented with three stimulus segments: erotic video (VID); vibrotactile stimulation (VT) applied to the underside of the penis; and combined vibrotactile and erotic video stimulation (VID+VT). Maximum erectile response was recorded to each stimulus using both an erectiometer and a Barlow strain gauge. Self-reported sexual arousal and affective response to each stimulus segment were also obtained. Results indicated significant variation in erectile response and self-reported arousal over the stimulus segments. Erectile response was lowest to VT alone and highest to VID+VT for both erectile measures, although the pattern of change across stimuli was different for each measure. Self-reported sexual arousal was consistent with erectile measures, but the difference between VID and VID+VT was not statistically significant. VT stimulation alone was perceived as somewhat unpleasant; both VID and VID+VT were perceived as more pleasant than VT, but VID and VID+VT did not differ significantly from each other. This study demonstrates that, while not perceived as more pleasurable or arousing, VT stimulation on the penis combined with erotic video stimulation augments erectile response in functional men in a controlled laboratory situation. The possible use of this methodology for the improved study of men with sexual dysfunctions is discussed.