In a single-center, single-arm prospective trial, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) exhibited a good safety and efficacy profile for the management of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) in males. Researchers sought to explore perineal ESWT for CPPS. A total of 14 males (21-85 years of age) were enrolled. Perineal ESWT was administered weekly for a duration of up to eight weeks.

The evaluation included the use of various measures such as the UPOINT (urinary symptoms [U], psychosocial dysfunction [P], organ-specific symptoms [O], infection-related symptoms [I], neurological/systemic conditions [N], tenderness of skeletal muscles [T]) phenotype system, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF),  Analgesic Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), National Institutes of Health – Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, and the King's Health Questionnaire.

Assessments were conducted before the commencement and conclusion of the intervention, as well as at regular intervals during follow-ups spanning up to 20 weeks. Overall, 13 participants successfully finished the study. Positive changes were noted in various aspects, including favorable outcomes in the National Institutes of Health – Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index scores, enhancements in the King's Health Questionnaire, improvements in the Tenderness domain on UPOINT, and a reduction in pain scores according to the VAS.

Notably, there was betterment in erectile function as evidenced by improvements in the erectile function domain of the IIEF. Substantial enhancements in lower urinary tract symptoms, evaluated using the IPSS, were also observed. Importantly, no adverse events were reported either promptly post-treatment or during the follow-up phase.

In conclusion, ESWT proved to be an effective and safe treatment modality for male patients grappling with CPPS. The study demonstrated improvements in pain levels and overall quality of life. Hence, ESWT could be regarded as a beneficial supplement to the range of treatment choices available for addressing CPPS.