Advances in the clinical applications and research progress of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for erectile dysfunction: a narrative review

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INTRODUCTION: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a type of specific ultrasound that is delivered at low intensity and generated in pulsed wave mode. Previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic applications of LIPUS in the healing or regeneration of several tissues. However, research on LIPUS therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) is still limited. OBJECTIVES: This literature review aims to summarize the clinical trials, clinical applications, and the molecular mechanisms of LIPUS in ameliorating ED. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE using the keywords: "low-intensity pulsed ultrasound," "erectile dysfunction," "treatment," "clinical trials," and "mechanism." RESULTS: LIPUS significantly improved erectile function in patients with mild-to-moderate ED in all of the clinical trials. Notably, no adverse events were reported in any of the studies. In addition, LIPUS was shown to promote erectile function mainly via the regeneration of cavernous nerves, the corpus cavernosum endothelium or smooth muscles, as well as via the activation of stem cells. CONCLUSION: LIPUS has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of ED based on clinical trials, and the mechanisms that are involved in these effects have been elucidated via basic studies. Although most clinical studies have lacked placebo-controlled groups and have included limited sample sizes, LIPUS therapy is still a promising area in ED research. However, it should be noted that the studies were conducted in China, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

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