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Spring balance evaluation of the ischiocavernosus muscle

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 13, pages 294–297 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

We studied the voluntary contractile activity of the ischiocavernosus muscle (ICM) in 21 sexually potent and 97 erectile dysfunction (ED) subjects using a spring balance. A strap was placed around the coronal grove of the glans penis and tensioned with the spring balance. Subjects were asked and encouraged to contract the ICM against the spring balance. We evaluated the length of stroke, duration of contraction, and maximum contractile force. The length of stroke, duration of contraction, and maximum contractile force showed statistically significant differences between potent and ED subjects. Diagnosed psychogenic ED and arteriogenic ED showed higher contractile activity than cavernous ED and neurogenic ED. Our results corresponded to those of previous studies that have urged consideration of the role of the ICM during the process of erection in animal experiments and in human electrophysiological studies. The spring balance evaluation is a useful, inexpensive method for evaluating the ICM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Takamatsu Red Cross Hospital, Kagawa, Japan

    Y Kawanishi, T Kishimoto, K Kimura, K Yamaguchi, H Nakatuji, K Kojima, A Yamamoto & A Numata

Authors
  1. Y Kawanishi
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  2. T Kishimoto
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  3. K Kimura
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  4. K Yamaguchi
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  5. H Nakatuji
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  6. K Kojima
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  7. A Yamamoto
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  8. A Numata
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Y Kawanishi.

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Kawanishi, Y., Kishimoto, T., Kimura, K. et al. Spring balance evaluation of the ischiocavernosus muscle. Int J Impot Res 13, 294–297 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900730

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900730

Keywords

  • ischiocavernosus muscle
  • spring balance
  • erectile dysfunction
  • impotence

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