Australian clinical trials shows improvement in erectile function

Exercise could help reverse treatment-related sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients, according to a long-term clinical trial reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Breakthrough Meeting in Japan.

The study shows that prostate cancer patients can immediately benefit from supervised exercise interventions to improve their sexual health after treatment, according to Professor Daniel Galvao of Edith Cowan University in Australia.

His trial of 100 patients compared standard treatment (without an exercise programme) with supervised resistance and aerobic exercise, and with the same exercise programme but added psychosexual therapy.

Those who exercised saw erectile function increase by 5.1 points compared to 1.0 point for the standard care group, while intercourse satisfaction increased by 2.2 points with exercise compared to 0.2 points with usual care. The psychosexual therapy resulted in no improvements in erectile function or intercourse satisfaction.

“This is just the latest piece of evidence showing exercise should be considered an integral part of treatment for prostate cancer,” Professor Galvao said.