The Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Psychological Treatment Program for Female Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction There has been limited evaluation of the effectiveness of psychological interventions for female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Furthermore, none of these studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these programs delivered over the Internet. Aim The current study evaluated an Internet-based psychological treatment program for FSD. Revive consisted of three well-established and validated treatment components: communication skills training, sensate focus exercises, and regular contact with a therapist. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures included: the Female Sexual Function Index; the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; the Sexual Function Scale; and the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships. Methods In total, 39 women (17 in treatment group and 22 in control group) completed the program. The mean age for the treatment group was 34.91 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.27) and 33.30 years (SD = 9.34) for the control group. Results The results demonstrated that women who completed treatment reported improved sexual and relationship functioning in comparison with those who received no treatment. Conclusions These findings highlight the suitability of the Internet for providing psychological treatment for FSD and for targeting the individual and relationship factors often associated with these disorders.

Incorporating Mindfulness and Chat Groups Into an Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mixed Female Sexual Problems

“…Although Revive demonstrated positive results, it was unclear whether treatment changed maladaptive beliefs, as opposed to just changing behavior (Jones & McCabe, 2011); this was due to the online content being ''behavioral in nature' ' (p. 2789), and a lack of utilization of cognitive therapy by participants over e-mail. Given that 33% of participants were still experiencing sexual problems more than 50% of the time after treatment completion, the authors suggested that future Internet-based interventions for female sexual problems explore new methods to ensure that cognitive therapy is embedded into treatment.…”

“…Revive consisted of sensate focus, communication exercises, and unlimited e-mail contact with a therapist. The main aim of the e-mail contact was to supplement the online content and address maladaptive cognitions and other psychosocial factors involved in female sexual problems (Jones & McCabe, 2011). Women who completed Revive improved significantly on measures of sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and satisfaction compared to those in the control group, and all improvements were maintained at three-month follow-up (Jones & McCabe, 2011).…”

“…More recently, Internetbased interventions have been developed as an alternative to traditional treatment approaches for sexual dysfunctions. As well as offering convenience and privacy, online therapies can simultaneously draw together a community of clients while maintaining their anonymity (Jones & McCabe, 2011;Leusink & Aarts, 2006;Tate & Zabinski, 2004). Research into the use of Internet-based interventions for sexual dysfunctions is quite limited, but preliminary evidence from studies investigating online CBT treatments for male sexual dysfunction (MSD) suggest that Internet-based treatment may be a suitable alternative to face-to-face sex therapy (Leusink & Aarts, 2006;McCabe, Price, Piterman, & Lording, 2008;van Diest, van Lankveld, Leusink, Slob, & Gijs, 2007;van Lankveld, Leusink, van Diest, Gijs, & Slob, 2009).…”

“…Jones and McCabe (2011) conducted a study evaluating the effectiveness of an Internet-based CBT program, called Revive. The program included women with mixed female sexual problems due to the high level of comorbidity of sexual dysfunctions found in women (McCabe & Giles, 2012) and the effectiveness of CBT for a variety of sexual symptoms across all sexual domains (e.g., Brotto, Basson, & Luria, 2008b;Hurlbert, White, Powell, & Apt, 1993;McCabe, 2001;Trudel et al, 2001).…”

Challenges in Designing Psychological Treatment Studies for Sexual Dysfunction

“…There are several characteristics of psychological treatment studies of sexual dysfunction that complicate the outcome literature and that make direct comparison between the efficacy of (Hucker & McCabe, 2015;Jones & McCabe, 2011;McCabe, 2001;Trudel et al, 2001) was either explicitly a couples-based treatment, or included a current relational partner in some aspect of therapy. In contrast, a majority of the mindfulness trials critiqued by Pyke and Clayton did not include partners in treatment (e.g., Brotto, Basson, & Luria, 2008), and most did not even require participants to be involved in a current romantic relationship (e.g., Brotto & Basson 2014).…”