Effect of radial shock wave on chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the effect of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). [Participants and Methods] Forty male CPPS patients were randomly assigned into either an rESWT group or a control group. The first group was treated with rESWT two times per week for four weeks with a protocol 3,000 pulse, 12 Hz at 3 to 5 bar. The control group was treated with the same protocol, but the device’s probe had been turned off. The follow-up assessment was done using the National Institutes of Health-developed Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) before treatment, as well as one week, four weeks, and 8 weeks after treatment. [Results] No significant difference was found in terms of age, sub-domain, or the total score of the NIH-CPSI between the rESWT group and the control group at the baseline. A statistically significant decrease was determined in the pain domain, urine score, quality of life, and the total NIH-CPSI score of the rESWT group at all post-treatment time points. All domains and the total score of the NIH-CPSI at all three follow-up time points decreased more significantly in the rESWT group as compared to the control group. [Conclusion] The findings of this study confirmed that rESWT is an effective method for treating CPPS.