Treating erectile dysfunction with biofeedback
Erectile dysfunction is very embarrassing for many of those affected and causes a great deal of distress. The condition may be caused by physical or psychological factors.
The treatment
A weakened pelvic floor can be a physical cause of erectile dysfunction. Therefore, in cases of erectile dysfunction in men, targeted exercise of the pelvic floor muscles using EMG biofeedback be sensible1. Biofeedback It supports pelvic floor exercises in particular through the clear visual feedback, which shows the participant exactly whether the correct muscle group is being contracted. On the EMG sensor For this, a Adapter for a Anal probe which is inserted into the test subject.
However, psychological factors can also be responsible for sexual dysfunction. In such cases, Relaxation techniques how biofeedback can be used to reduce the level of psychophysiological arousal triggered by anxiety1.
The effectiveness of biofeedback in treating erectile dysfunction
In the comprehensive biofeedback review by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, *Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback*, the treatment of erectile dysfunction was rated as „Effective“, the second-highest level2.
Even with a radical prostatectomy, the pelvic floor is put under strain. This often results in Urinary incontinence but also erectile dysfunction. A team from the University of São Paulo has investigated the effects of biofeedback following radical prostatectomy and reports improvements in urinary continence and sexual function in men. Potency recovered in 47% of the men who were affected by erectile dysfunction. In the untreated control group, this was the case for only 12% of the men3.
However, even setting aside prostate removal, a team at Somerset Nuffield Hospital in the UK reports that 40% of the men regained their sexual function following pelvic floor exercises with biofeedback, whilst 35% saw at least some improvement4.
Biofeedback for:
ADHD
Anxiety disorders
Asthma
Profession
High blood pressure
Depression
Epilepsy
Erectile dysfunction
Incontinence
Competitive sport
Raynaud's disease
PTSD
Rehabilitation
Irritable bowel syndrome
Sleep disorders
Stress & burnout
Stress diagnostics
Pain therapy
Tinnitus
Constipation
Sources:
- Martin, A., & Rief, W. (Eds.). (2008). How effective is biofeedback?: a therapeutic method. Hogrefe AG.
- G. Tan, F. Shaffer, R. Lyle, & I. Teo (Eds.). Evidence-based practice in biofeedback and neurofeedback (3rd ed.). Wheat Ridge, CO: Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.
- Prota, C., Gomes, C. M., Ribeiro, L. H. S., De Bessa, J., Nakano, E., Dall’Oglio, M., … & Srougi, M. (2012). Early postoperative pelvic floor biofeedback improves erectile function in men undergoing radical prostatectomy: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial. International Journal of Impotence Research, 24(5), 174-178.
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Dorey, G., Speakman, M. J., Feneley, R. C., Swinkels, A. & Dunn, C. D. (2005). Pelvic floor exercises for erectile dysfunction. BJU International, 96(4), 595–597. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410x.2005.05690.x