Acupuncture for erectile dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in improving erectile function, anxiety, depression, and TCM syndrome in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) compared to sildenafil treatment.
Results Summary
Acupuncture improved IIEF-5 scores, reduced anxiety and depression (SAS/SDS scores), and alleviated TCM syndrome scores in ED patients, with sustained effects observed during follow-up. It demonstrated a posterior effect advantage over sildenafil.
Population
64 male patients with erectile dysfunction (32 per group, 2 dropouts each).
Effective Dosage
Acupuncture at specific points (e.g., GV 20, CV 6, ST 36), alternating two acupoint groups, 30 min per session, every other day. Sildenafil: 50 mg orally 1h before sexual activity.
Duration
30 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
acupuncture treatment | increase | erectile function | ED patients | - | can effectively improve | #1 |
acupuncture treatment | decrease | anxiety state | ED patients | - | can effectively improve | #2 |
acupuncture treatment | decrease | depression state | ED patients | - | can effectively improve | #3 |
acupuncture treatment | decrease | TCM syndrome | ED patients | - | can effectively improve | #4 |
acupuncture treatment | increase | clinical efficacy | ED patients | - | has a advantage of posterior effect | #5 |
50 mg of sildenafil tablet | increase | IIEF-5 scores | ED patients | - | increased | #6 |
acupuncture treatment | increase | IIEF-5 scores | ED patients | - | increased | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: A total of 64 ED patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (32 cases, 2 case dropped out) and a western medication group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped out). In the acupuncture group, acupuncture treatment was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Dahe (KI 12), Qugu (CV 2), Zusanli (ST 36), and etc., two groups of acupoints were used alternately, 30 min each time, once every other day. In the western medication group, 50 mg of sildenafil tablet was took orally 1 h before sexual activity. Both groups were treated for 30 d. The international index of erectile function citrate (IIEF-5) score, self rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, self rating depression scale (SDS) score, TCM syndrome score were observed before and after treatment, and in follow-up of 2 weeks after treatment completion, the serum testosterone (T) level was detected before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, the IIEF-5 scores were increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups ( CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture can effectively improve erectile function, anxiety and depression state, and TCM syndrome in ED patients, and has a advantage of posterior effect compared with western medication treatment.