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.