MP36-12 MARKETING PLATFORMS DOMINATE CONSUMER UNDERSTANDING OF SHOCKWAVE THERAPY FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction: Medical, Hormonal & Non-surgical Therapy II (MP36)1 Sep 2021MP36-12 MARKETING PLATFORMS DOMINATE CONSUMER UNDERSTANDING OF SHOCKWAVE THERAPY FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Shangyang Christopher Yang, James M. Weinberger, Robert H. Shahinyan, Gary K. Shahinyan, Jesse N. Mills, and Sriram V. Eleswarapu Shangyang Christopher YangShangyang Christopher Yang More articles by this author , James M. WeinbergerJames M. Weinberger More articles by this author , Robert H. ShahinyanRobert H. Shahinyan More articles by this author , Gary K. ShahinyanGary K. Shahinyan More articles by this author , Jesse N. MillsJesse N. Mills More articles by this author , and Sriram V. EleswarapuSriram V. Eleswarapu More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002045.12AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Despite a paucity of evidence, a number of “regenerative” therapies have emerged as putative treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). Shockwave therapy, in particular, has received significant attention in direct-to-consumer marketing and is often advertised by non-urologists. However, the nomenclature surrounding shockwave therapy has led to ambiguity. Focused shock wave therapy (fSWT) has become conflated with radial or acoustic wave therapy (rWT), though they differ in mechanism of wave generation and tissue penetration. GAINSWave, a prominent marketing platform for acoustic wave therapy, has also pervaded the marketplace. We aim to characterize the relative impact of direct-to-consumer marketing of shockwave therapy by quantifying the frequency of internet search queries for various shockwave options for ED. METHODS: Population-level Google Search trends in the United States (www.google.com/trends) were used to characterize interest in various forms of shockwave therapy for ED. Search trends for fSWT, rSWT, and GAINSWave were analyzed (Figure 1). Google Search data are tabulated on a relative scale of 0-100, with 100 representing the most frequently searched term over a time interval. Monthly search data were compiled over a 6 year period (1/1/14 through 2/28/20), ending just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Yearly averages were computed to quantify macro-level changes in patient interest. RESULTS: Trends in Google Search interest in various forms of shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction are depicted in Figure 1. Queries for GAINSWave dominated public interest, increasing by 187-fold from 2016 to 2020. The introduction of GAINSWave represents an inflection point for the entire shockwave market: searches for shockwave therapy increased by 782% from 2016 to 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Direct-to-consumer marketing of shockwave therapy has upended the traditional role of physicians in counseling patients regarding evidence-based treatments for ED. The increase in public interest in GAINSWave underscores its success as a marketing platform. The urological community should consider strategies to correct misinformation, such as search-engine optimization, social media, and educational outreach. Source of Funding: None © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e640-e640 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Shangyang Christopher Yang More articles by this author James M. Weinberger More articles by this author Robert H. Shahinyan More articles by this author Gary K. Shahinyan More articles by this author Jesse N. Mills More articles by this author Sriram V. Eleswarapu More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...