The Neuro-Urology Unit, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Haifa, Israel.
The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa, Israel.
Int J Impot Res. 2024 Nov;36(7):728-733. doi: 10.1038/s41443-023-00733-1. Epub 2023 Aug 17.
The erectile mechanism depends, in part on the intactness of the collagen components in the penis. As such, impaired collagen may have a deleterious effect on erectile function. Radiofrequency energy has been shown to renew and restore spatial structural arrangement of collagen fibers; therefore, treatment of erectile dysfunction with radiofrequency could lead to anatomical and physiological changes at the penile tissue level and could lead to improvement in the erectile mechanism. We conducted this study to assess the effect of radiofrequency treatment on erection quality. We evaluated the safety, applicability, and efficacy of a self-applied, handheld, low-intensity radiofrequency device (Vertica®) in men with moderate and mild-to-moderate organic erectile dysfunction. The treatment protocol consisted of 12 treatments (twice a week during the 1st month, and once a week during the 2nd month), and each participant treated himself individually. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function, Erection Hardness Scale, Erectile Dysfunction Index of Treatment Satisfaction, Benefit, Satisfaction & Willingness to continue, Quality of Erection Questionnaire, Sexual Quality of Life questionnaires and specific questions addressing side effects and ease of use. Twenty-eight out of 32 men (mean age 59.5 ± 9.8, range: 41-78 years) completed a one-month follow-up after treatment. Mean International Index of Erectile Function (43.7. ± 7.8 vs. 60.9 ± 10.8, p < 0.01), International Index of Erectile Function -Erection Function domain (16.8 ± 3.1 vs. 24.4 ± 4.4, p < 0.001), and Erection Hardness Scores (2.2 ± 0.8 vs. 3.2 ± 0.5, p = 0.01) were all significantly improved. Fifty percent of patients achieved normal erectile function parameters according to the International Index of Erectile Function -Erection Function domain score >25. High mean scores were achieved in the Erectile Dysfunction Index of Treatment Satisfaction (76.8 ± 20.3), Benefit, Satisfaction & Willingness to continue (4.83 ± 1.1), Quality of Erection Questionnaire (73.4 ± 23.8), and Sexual Quality of Life (67 ± 29.4) questionnaires. No side effects were reported and participants rated the device as very comfortable, simple, and easy to operate.
勃起机制部分依赖于阴茎中胶原蛋白成分的完整性。因此，受损的胶原蛋白可能对勃起功能产生有害影响。射频能量已被证明可以更新和恢复胶原蛋白纤维的空间结构排列；因此，射频治疗勃起功能障碍可能会导致阴茎组织水平的解剖和生理变化，并可能改善勃起机制。我们进行这项研究是为了评估射频治疗对勃起质量的影响。我们评估了一种自我应用的、手持式的、低强度射频设备（Vertica®）在中重度和轻度至中度器质性勃起功能障碍男性中的安全性、适用性和疗效。治疗方案包括 12 次治疗（第 1 个月每周两次，第 2 个月每周一次），每位参与者单独进行自我治疗。使用国际勃起功能指数、勃起硬度量表、勃起功能障碍治疗满意度指数、益处、满意度和继续治疗的意愿、勃起质量问卷、性健康生活质量问卷以及针对副作用和易用性的具体问题来评估治疗结果。32 名男性中有 28 名（平均年龄 59.5±9.8 岁，范围：41-78 岁）在治疗后完成了一个月的随访。国际勃起功能指数（43.7±7.8 对 60.9±10.8，p<0.01）、国际勃起功能指数-勃起功能域（16.8±3.1 对 24.4±4.4，p<0.001）和勃起硬度评分（2.2±0.8 对 3.2±0.5，p=0.01）均显著改善。根据国际勃起功能指数-勃起功能域评分>25，50%的患者达到正常勃起功能参数。在勃起功能障碍治疗满意度指数（76.8±20.3）、益处、满意度和继续治疗的意愿（4.83±1.1）、勃起质量问卷（73.4±23.8）和性健康生活质量（67±29.4）问卷中均获得了较高的平均得分。没有报告不良反应，参与者认为该设备非常舒适、简单且易于操作。
