The efficacy of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation for treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome patients who do not respond to pharmacotherapy

Objective To investigate the effect of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation (EMS) on symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in men who did not respond to pharmacotherapy. Methods Patients with chronic pelvic pain and/or voiding symptoms in the absence of urinary tract infection for at least 3 months in spite of medication were included in this study. All patients underwent EMS for 6 weeks for a total of 12 sessions. The primary endpoint was the changes in total and pain scores of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) at 24 weeks after treatment. Patients were also evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), voiding diary, Benefit Satisfaction and Willingness (BSW) questionnaire, and patient perception of symptom improvement (PPSI). Results A total of 46 men were included, and data from 37 patients who completed this study were analyzed. The baseline vs 24 weeks mean NIH-CPSI score was total score 25.0 ± 6.9 vs 15.6 ± 7.7, pain score 11.8 ± 3.7 vs 6.9 ± 4.7 (all P <.05). Total and subdomain sums of IPSS improved significantly after treatment, and the improvements were maintained until 24 weeks. Patient voiding diaries demonstrated a tendency toward a decrease in all subdomains after treatment. In BSW, >70% of patients reported positive answers to each domain at 24 weeks after treatment. PPSI measured by the visual analog scale was maintained from immediately after treatment until 24 weeks. Conclusion EMS offers a new treatment option for patients with CP/CPPS who do not respond to pharmacotherapy.