The use of 6 sessions of low‐intensity shockwave therapy used once per week for 6 weeks or 2 times per week for 3 weeks was found to have comparable efficacy and safety for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. 

Given the lack of studies involving the ideal low‐intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) procedure in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), this randomized controlled, parallel-group, two-arm study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of 6 LiST sittings used once or twice per week for the treatment of CP/CPPS.

A total of 50 patients with CPPS type IIIb were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (25 patients) with 6 LiST sessions once weekly or; Group B (25 patients) with 6 LiST sessions twice-weekly (Group B, n = 25).

Similar therapy practices concerning the application of LiST, impulses (5000 per session), energy flux density (0.096 mJ/mm²), and frequency were used. Assessments were done at follow-up of 1 month and 3 months.

In both groups, LiST considerably improved National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), pain and quality of life scores, along with International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Domain at the follow-up. No profound differences were witnessed between both groups at follow-up. There were no adverse events and dropouts.

Six sittings of LiST used once or twice a week seem to have similar outcomes concerning its safety and efficacy in CP/CPPS patients. Future studies are important, as LiST slowly gains its place for CP/CPPS management.