ACUPUNCTURE AND HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF NONORGANIC MALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

We have examined the effects of acupuncture and hypnotic suggestions, and compared them with placebo in the treatment of male sexual dysfunc tion with no detectable organic cause. The study comprised 15 men (mea n age 36.7 +/- 10.43 years) who received acupuncture treatment, 16 men (mean age 38.4 +/- 10.75 years) who underwent hypnosis (mean age 35.3 +/- 11.52 years) and 29 men (mean age 36.2 +/- 11.38 pears) who serve d as controls. They were interviewed periodically; the patients' repor ts were verified by interviewing their partners. Men who received plac ebo had a 43-47% improvement in sexual function, while the rates of im provement in the treated groups were higher, but not significantly so. The success rates of acupuncture and hypnotic suggestions were 60% an d 75%, respectively. Although the improvement was nor statistically si gnificant, treatment with acupuncture could be used as an adjuvant the rapy in non-organic male sexual dysfunction. The only treatment superi or to placebo seemed to be hypnosis. A more effective treatment may be obtained by combining these therapeutic modalities, but this needs fu rther study.