Abstract
Objectives: The observational ‘Feeling Hot’ study aims to evaluate the feasibility
of employing overnight penile temperature measurements for the detection of
nocturnal erections, thereby contributing to the advancement and modernization of
a non-invasive diagnostic system for erectile dysfunction.
Subjects/Patients and Methods: In this proof-of-concept study, 10 healthy men aged
20–25 were recruited, following the methodology outlined in the ‘Staying Hot’ study by
Torenvlied et al. Participants underwent ambulatory overnight penile temperature measurements concurrent with RigiScan recordings. Key outcome measures included baseline and
peak penile temperatures during RigiScan-annotated nocturnal erections. Reference measurements of the thigh temperature were also taken to assess nocturnal temperature variations.
Results: Statistically significant penile temperature increases (p = 0.008, n = 9) were
observed during nocturnal erections, with an average elevation of 1.47C noted during the initial erections. This underscores the practical utility of penile temperature
measurements in detecting erection onset. Challenges arose in accurately determining erection duration and subsequent erection onsets due to the persistence of
elevated temperatures following initial erections, termed the ‘Staying Hot effect’.
Reference thigh temperature measurements aided in addressing this challenge.
Conclusion: Examining overnight penile temperature alongside simultaneous RigiScan
recordings has yielded valuable insights into the viability of using the temperature
methodology for detecting nocturnal erections. The ‘Feeling Hot’ study findings
demonstrate significant penile temperature elevation during nocturnal erections in
healthy young men, highlighting the potential of integrating this measurement methodology into the design of a modernized tool for ambulatory erectile dysfunction
diagnostics. Further development of an advanced sensor system to comprehensively
assess erection duration and quality is essential for enhancing clinical applicability.
of employing overnight penile temperature measurements for the detection of
nocturnal erections, thereby contributing to the advancement and modernization of
a non-invasive diagnostic system for erectile dysfunction.
Subjects/Patients and Methods: In this proof-of-concept study, 10 healthy men aged
20–25 were recruited, following the methodology outlined in the ‘Staying Hot’ study by
Torenvlied et al. Participants underwent ambulatory overnight penile temperature measurements concurrent with RigiScan recordings. Key outcome measures included baseline and
peak penile temperatures during RigiScan-annotated nocturnal erections. Reference measurements of the thigh temperature were also taken to assess nocturnal temperature variations.
Results: Statistically significant penile temperature increases (p = 0.008, n = 9) were
observed during nocturnal erections, with an average elevation of 1.47C noted during the initial erections. This underscores the practical utility of penile temperature
measurements in detecting erection onset. Challenges arose in accurately determining erection duration and subsequent erection onsets due to the persistence of
elevated temperatures following initial erections, termed the ‘Staying Hot effect’.
Reference thigh temperature measurements aided in addressing this challenge.
Conclusion: Examining overnight penile temperature alongside simultaneous RigiScan
recordings has yielded valuable insights into the viability of using the temperature
methodology for detecting nocturnal erections. The ‘Feeling Hot’ study findings
demonstrate significant penile temperature elevation during nocturnal erections in
healthy young men, highlighting the potential of integrating this measurement methodology into the design of a modernized tool for ambulatory erectile dysfunction
diagnostics. Further development of an advanced sensor system to comprehensively
assess erection duration and quality is essential for enhancing clinical applicability.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 782-788 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | BJUI Compass |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 Feb 2024 |