Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave New Medical Technology Approved by Review Committee: "New Treatment Opportunity for Chronic Prostatitis"

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Department of Urology Professor Team

Recently, an extracorporeal shock wave therapy method, whose safety and efficacy have been proven by domestic medical professionals, has gained attention after passing the new medical technology review by the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA). It is expected to provide new treatment opportunities for patients with chronic prostatitis and non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Professor Baewoong Jin, Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, is treating a patient with chronic prostatitis using low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
[Photo by Seoul St. Mary's Hospital]

Chronic prostatitis is mainly characterized by inflammation of the prostate, accompanied by urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction. However, similar symptoms can appear without clear inflammation, in which case it is referred to as chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It commonly occurs in men under 50 years old, with a reported prevalence of 5-9% among Korean men.

Although the exact cause is unclear, it is known that infections of the prostate by bacteria or viruses, autoimmune diseases, and stress may influence the condition. Symptoms include frequent urination, painful urination, pain in the perineum and pelvic area including the testicles, various lower urinary tract symptoms such as a feeling of residual urine, and persistent discomfort. Current main treatments include medication such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory analgesics, as well as prostate massage and heat therapy. However, since the causative pathogens inducing inflammation are not clearly identified and the causes are diverse, treatment is difficult, and frequent relapses reduce quality of life.

The team led by Professors Kim Se-woong and Bae Woong-jin from the Department of Urology at The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital has been continuously researching an 'EM (Electro magnetic)' type extracorporeal shock wave technology that applies extracorporeal shock waves to the patient’s perineum to relieve pain. The principle involves applying low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves directly to the prostate to promote vascular remodeling and induce anti-inflammatory effects, thereby reducing inflammatory responses and healing tissues. Last year, Professor Kim’s team conducted a randomized placebo-controlled study on 30 patients with non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome and published significant improvements in chronic prostatitis symptom scores and International Prostate Symptom Scores in an international academic journal.

Prior to this, in 2021, the Department of Urology at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital also demonstrated the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic prostatitis through clinical trial research. Following publication in an international academic journal, the research received the Most Cited Award in 2022 at the 'Asia-Pacific Sexual Medicine & 40th Annual Meeting of the Korean Society for Male Science.'

The recent approval in the new medical technology review is significant as it confirms the effectiveness and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy. The new medical technology evaluation system was introduced in 2007 to assess the safety and clinical efficacy of new medical technologies, preventing indiscriminate use of unverified medical technologies and protecting public health rights. Technologies reviewed and approved by the New Medical Technology Evaluation Committee undergo administrative notice by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and are registered as new medical technology medical practices after official announcement.

Professor Kim Se-woong, who has been steadily researching urological disease treatments such as erectile dysfunction, chronic prostatitis, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome using low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves, expressed expectations regarding the recent new medical technology selection, stating, "For patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome, a representative intractable disease, who do not respond to conventional treatments, this could be an alternative."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.