Therapeutic use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduces prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Urinary and sexual function changes in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients before and after transurethral columnar balloon dilatation of the prostate

BACKGROUND

Transurethral columnar balloon dilatation of the prostate (TUCBDP) is a new surgical treatment, but its efficacy remains controversial because of limited clinical application.

AIM

To investigate the clinical effect of TUCBDP for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

Overall, 140 patients with BPH who underwent surgical treatment were included in the study. A random number table was used to divide the participants into study and control groups (n = 70 per group). The study group underwent TUCBDP. The prostate resection surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, bladder irrigation time, catheter indwelling time, length of hospital stay, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume (RUV), changes in the International Erectile Function Score (IIEF-5) score, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), quality of life (QOL) score, and surgical complications were compared in both groups.

RESULTS

The operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, bladder flushing time, urinary catheter indwelling time, and length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the IPSS, Qmax, and RUV measurements between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). However, at 3 mo post-surgery, the IPSS and RUV measurements were both lower (P < 0.05) and Qmax values were higher (P < 0.05) compared to the pre-surgery results in both groups. The IIEF-5 scores before and 3 mo after surgery were not significantly different between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). At 1 mo after surgery, the IIEF-5 score was higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The serum PSA levels and QOL scores before treatment and at 1 and 3 mo after treatment were not significantly different between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). However, lower serum PSA levels and QOL scores were observed after 1 and 3 mo of treatment compared to pre-treatment levels in the study group (P < 0.05). The surgical complication rate of the study group (4.29%) was lower than that of the control group (12.86%; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TUCBDP for BPH and transurethral resection of the prostate can achieve better results, but the former method is associated with less surgical trauma.

Preliminary results of a randomized crossover clinical trial comparing a new electromagnetic and vibrating device and alpha-blocker agents in patients affected by bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia

To the Editor, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the main causes of patients seeking urological counselling in Western countries. It has been estimated that nearly 70 percent of United States men between the ages of 60 and 69 years, and nearly 80 percent of men ≥ 70 years, have some degree of BPH [...].

Therapeutic use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy reduces prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) etiology remains poorly understood, but chronic low‐grade inflammation plays a role. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) (1‐50 Hz) is effective in reducing tissue inflammation.

Objectives

We designed a pilot study to evaluate the effects of PEMF on prostate volume (PV) in BPH.

Materials and Methods

This is a prospective interventional trial on 27 naive patients with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). At baseline (V₀), all patients had blood tests, transrectal ultrasound, and questionnaires (IPSS, IIEF‐15) and received a perineal PEMF device (Magcell^®Microcirc, Physiomed Elektromedizin). PEMF was delivered on perineal area 5 minutes twice daily for 28 days, then (V₁) all baseline evaluations were repeated. Afterward, nine patients continued therapy for 3 more months (PT group) and 15 discontinued (FU group). A 4‐month evaluation (V₂) was performed in both groups.

Results

A reduction was observed both at V₁ and at V₂ in PV: PV_V0 44.5 mL (38.0;61.6) vs PV_V1 42.1 mL (33.7;61.5, P = .039) vs PV_V2 41.7mL (32.7;62.8, P = .045). IPSS was reduced both at V₁ and at V₂: IPSS_V0 11 (5.7;23.2) vs IPSS_V1 10 (6;16, P = .045) vs IPSS_V2 9 (6;14, P = .015). Baseline IPSS was related to IPSS reduction both at V₁ (r_s = 0.313;P = .003) and at V₂ (r_s = 0.664;P < .001). PV reduction in patients without metabolic syndrome (ΔPV_V1nMetS −4.7 mL, 95%CI −7.3;‐2.0) was greater than in affected patients (ΔPV_V1MetS 1.7 mL, 95%CI −2.69;6.1)(P = .017, Relative Risk_MetS = 6). No changes were found in gonadal hormones or sexual function.

Discussion

PEMF was able to reduce PV after 28 days of therapy. Symptoms improved in a short time, with high compliance and no effects on hormonal and sexual function or any side effects. Patients with moderate‐severe LUTS and without MetS seem to benefit more from this treatment.

Conclusion

PEMF reduces PV and improves LUTS in a relative short time, in BPH patients. These benefits seem greater in those patients with moderate‐severe LUTS but without MetS.