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HBOT Application in Erectile Dysfunction

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Erectile Dysfunction
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Interventions
Device: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Registration Number
NCT02619383
Lead Sponsor
Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center
Brief Summary

Recent studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can induce angiogenesis and improve impaired organ function. HBOT was also recently suggested as a possible therapy for ED due to surgical injuries. However, the effect of HBOT on non-surgical related ED has not been investigated to date.

The objective in this study was to assess the effect of HBOT on patients with ED by means of sexual function questionnaires and novel imaging techniques.

Detailed Description

A prospective analysis of men, age 18 years or older, with a clinical diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, reporting decreased and weakened nocturnal penile tumescence of six months duration or longer.

Patients were treated at The treatment comprised 40 daily hyperbaric sessions, 5 days a week, in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber (HAUX-Life-Support GmbH). Each session consisted of 90 minutes of exposure to 100% oxygen at 2 ATA with 5 minutes air breaks every 30 minutes and 1 meter per minute compression and decompression.

Sexual function Efficacy of the treatment was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire which was filled by all patients at baseline and within 2 weeks of the last HBOT session. In addition, assessing efficacy was the global efficacy question (GEQ) ("Did the treatment improve your erections?"), with a response of yes or no.

Six patients underwent two MRI scans 1-2 weeks prior to and after HBOT. Imaging was conducted in using a 3Tesla system (MAGNETOM Skyra, Siemens Medical Solutions, , Germany). The MRI protocol included anatomic T1 and T2 sequences and DCE. The MRI DCE sequence parameters are detailed in supplementary section.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
37
Inclusion Criteria
  • age 18 years or older
  • clinical diagnosis of erectile dysfunction
  • reporting decreased and weakened nocturnal penile tumescence of six months duration or longer
Exclusion Criteria
  • penile anatomical defects,
  • any active or history of malignancy including prostate cancer
  • spinal cord injury
  • any major psychiatric disorder uncontrolled with treatment
  • claustrophobia
  • chronic lung disease
  • chronic middle ear or sinus diseases.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
HBOTHyperbaric oxygen therapyAll patients were treated with 40 daily hyperbaric sessions, 5 days a week, in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber (HAUX-Life-Support GmbH). Each session consisted of 90 minutes of exposure to 100% oxygen at 2 ATA with 5 minutes air breaks every 30 minutes and 1 meter per minute compression and decompression.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Sexual function3 months

global efficacy question (GEQ) ("Did the treatment improve your erections?"), with a response of yes or no.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Imaging of penile perfusion3 months

Imaging was conducted in using a 3Tesla system (MAGNETOM Skyra, Siemens Medical Solutions, , Germany). The MRI protocol included anatomic T1 and T2 sequences and DCE.

K-trans calculations were performed in four specific axial sections located in each CC at the level of the penis base for better localization and reduced variability (Figure-1). Another control K-trans measurement was performed at the psoas muscle at the point in pass at the groin. The relative change in penile K-trans values (in %) was calculated as (post HBOT value - pre HBOT value) / pre HBOT value \* 100.

MRI includes Gadolinium contrast injection which has allergy related issues.

Adverse events3 months

Rate of adverse events

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center

🇮🇱

Zerifin, Israel

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