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Assessment of Penile Vibratory Stimulation Using the Viberect in Men With Mild-Moderate ED

Clinical and Physiological Assessment of Noninvasive Penile Afferent Vibratory Stimulation of Both Surfaces of the Penis Using the Viberect® Device in Men With Mild to Moderate ED

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01715571
Enrollment
11
Registered
2012-10-29
Start date
2013-03-01
Completion date
2020-07-01
Last updated
2021-06-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Organic Erectile Dysfunction

Keywords

erectile dysfunction, vibratory stimulation, viberect

Brief summary

The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety, acceptability, and satisfaction of penile vibratory stimulation in treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The secondary objective is to demonstrate subjective physiological response (erection, rigidity, orgasm) after four weeks of frequent device use and the satisfaction of penile erection and sexual intercourse with partner.

Detailed description

ED is the inability to develop and maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse or activity. ED is a highly prevalent medical condition often associated with multiple causes. It is estimated that more than 50 million American men suffer from mild/moderate to severe ED. Roughly 50% of men in their 50's, 60% of men in their 60's, and 70% of men in their 70's suffer from ED. The economic impact of ED is in the billions of dollars. More than 5 billion dollars a year are spent on the pro-erectile medications currently in the market. Penile vibratory stimulation mimics rapid and repetitive manual/hand stimulation of the penis. Vibratory stimulation of genitalia is considered safe by the medical community with important benefits including treatment of orgasmic dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence. No significant physical or emotional side-effects have been reported in the medical literature. A recent epidemiological study of the use of vibrators by American women and men has shown no complaints, and generally high satisfaction and improvement in sexual response. Penile erection is controlled by spinal autonomic centers, the activity of which is dependent on input from supraspinal centers and the genitalia. From a neurophysiological viewpoint, scientists believe that penile erection is a culmination of multiple successful nerve reflexes that initiate a vascular event. Simultaneous vibratory stimulation of both surfaces of the penis at high frequency (70-110 Hz) for 7-10 minutes can lead to gradual filling of the penis with arterial blood within minutes by activating the pudendo-cavernosal reflex. Additional physiological effects include progressive rhythmic contraction of the perineal muscles via the bulbocavernosus reflex, which helps in strengthening rigidity of erection. This will prepare the user for successful sexual intercourse. Subsequent orgasm and ejaculation can be very strong and amplified due to stronger contraction of the bulbospongiosus muscle and activation of higher ejaculatory centers. This study will assess daily or on-demand ease of use, safety, satisfaction, and efficacy of the home use of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Viberect device by men with mild to moderate ED

Interventions

DEVICEViberect

Men will be asked to perform vibratory stimulation of the penis in the privacy of their home, while focused on sexual thoughts for approximately 7-10 minutes (depending on erectile response) for 3 times a week, one day apart, throughout the four week period. Men can perform the stimulation once daily, as long as each session is more than 24 hours apart. Men will record device use and intercourse attempts after device use in a diary.

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
30 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* mild-moderate erectile dysfunction based on International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) erectile function score 13-25

Exclusion criteria

* Men with neurological disease * IIEF score less than 13 * Spinal cord injury * History of priapism * Pelvic neuropathy * Post-prostatectomy * Penile skin lesions or ulcers * Inability to understand and demonstrate device use instructions

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Assessment of Ease/Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by EDITS QuestionnairebaselineThe Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire will be administered. This is an 11 item tool addressing participant satisfaction with the Viberect. Each item is a 5-point Likert-type scale from 0 no satisfaction or dissatisfaction to 4 high satisfaction. Total scoring ranges from 0-44 with higher scores indicating higher treatment satisfaction.
Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by TSSBaselineThe Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS) questionnaire (patient baseline module) will be administered addressing participant satisfaction before Viberect treatment; This is an 8 item tool and each item is a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 to 5. The score range for TSS is 8-40 with higher scores indicating greater dissatisfaction.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Erectile Function (EF) as Assessed by the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 QuestionnairebaselineThe International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire will be administered. This is a 5 item tool; addressing Erectile function over the previous 4 weeks. Scores from 1-25 can be obtained in this domain. Scores are interpreted as follows: 1-7 = Severe Erectile dysfunction (ED), 8-11 = Moderate ED, 12-16 = mild-moderate ED, 17-21 = mild ED, 22-25 = No ED
EF as Assessed by the Erectile Hardness Score (EHS)baselineThe Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) questionnaire will be administered. it is a single-item tool. It is scored from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate better erection rigidity.
EF as Assessed by the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 QuestionnaireWeek 4The International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire will be administered. This is a 5 item tool; addressing Erectile function over the previous 4 weeks. Scores from 1-25 can be obtained in this domain. Scores are interpreted as follows: 1-7 = Severe Erectile dysfunction (ED), 8-11 = Moderate ED, 12-16 = mild-moderate ED, 17-21 = mild ED, 22-25 = No ED

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Viberect Treatment
Single-center, non-randomized, single-arm study Participants received Viberect treatment for 4 weeks of daily home use in preparation for sexual activity
11
Total11

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up8

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicViberect Treatment
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
10 Participants
Age, Continuous50.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
6 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
11 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 11

Outcome results

Primary

Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by TSS

The Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS) questionnaire (patient active treatment module) will be administered addressing participant satisfaction following Viberect treatment; This is a 13 item tool and each item is a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 to 5. The score range for TSS is 13-65 with higher scores indicating greater dissatisfaction.

Time frame: week 4

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentAcceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by TSS38.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.1
Primary

Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by TSS

The Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS) questionnaire (patient baseline module) will be administered addressing participant satisfaction before Viberect treatment; This is an 8 item tool and each item is a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 to 5. The score range for TSS is 8-40 with higher scores indicating greater dissatisfaction.

Time frame: Baseline

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentAcceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by TSS25 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.1
Primary

Assessment of Ease/Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by EDITS Questionnaire

The Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire will be administered. This is an 11 item tool addressing participant satisfaction with the Viberect. Each item is a 5-point Likert-type scale from 0 no satisfaction or dissatisfaction to 4 high satisfaction. Total scoring ranges from 0-44 with higher scores indicating higher treatment satisfaction.

Time frame: baseline

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentAssessment of Ease/Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by EDITS Questionnaire21.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.1
Primary

Assessment of Ease/Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by EDITS Questionnaire

The Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire will be administered. This is an 11 item tool addressing participant satisfaction with the Viberect. Each item is a 5-point Likert-type scale from 0 no satisfaction or dissatisfaction to 4 high satisfaction. Total scoring ranges from 0-44 with higher scores indicating higher treatment satisfaction.

Time frame: Week 4

Population: Patient 1 data is missing.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentAssessment of Ease/Acceptability of Use of the Viberect as Assessed by EDITS Questionnaire15 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 12.7
Secondary

EF as Assessed by the Erectile Hardness Score (EHS)

The Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) questionnaire will be administered. it is a single-item tool. It is scored from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate better erection rigidity.

Time frame: Week 4

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentEF as Assessed by the Erectile Hardness Score (EHS)2.66 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.5
Secondary

EF as Assessed by the Erectile Hardness Score (EHS)

The Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) questionnaire will be administered. it is a single-item tool. It is scored from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate better erection rigidity.

Time frame: baseline

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentEF as Assessed by the Erectile Hardness Score (EHS)2.33 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.5
Secondary

EF as Assessed by the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 Questionnaire

The International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire will be administered. This is a 5 item tool; addressing Erectile function over the previous 4 weeks. Scores from 1-25 can be obtained in this domain. Scores are interpreted as follows: 1-7 = Severe Erectile dysfunction (ED), 8-11 = Moderate ED, 12-16 = mild-moderate ED, 17-21 = mild ED, 22-25 = No ED

Time frame: Week 4

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentEF as Assessed by the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 Questionnaire16.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.52
Secondary

Erectile Function (EF) as Assessed by the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 Questionnaire

The International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire will be administered. This is a 5 item tool; addressing Erectile function over the previous 4 weeks. Scores from 1-25 can be obtained in this domain. Scores are interpreted as follows: 1-7 = Severe Erectile dysfunction (ED), 8-11 = Moderate ED, 12-16 = mild-moderate ED, 17-21 = mild ED, 22-25 = No ED

Time frame: baseline

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Viberect TreatmentErectile Function (EF) as Assessed by the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 Questionnaire14.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.15

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026