Table 1 Studies related to the effects of sex therapy on sexual dysfunction
Study (Author/Year) | N | Objective | Conclusion | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Asirdas et al. 1975 | 23 (11 male and 12 female) | Systematic desensitization vs. classical conditioning. | 14 subjects reported satisfaction after treatment, with better results in conditioning group. | [7] |
Letourneau et al. 1997 | 25 women with Sexual Arousal Disorder | To create conditioned stimuli that could evoke sexual physiological and psychological responses. | The CS was not capable of evoking the same responses as the unconditioned stimulus. | [8] |
Riley et al. 1978 | 20 women | Directed masturbation vs. sensate focus. | Masturbatory group were more capable of reaching orgasm. | [9] |
Reisinger 1978 | 6 women | Masturbatory training associated with erotic stimulation. | The program was effective to reach orgasm. | [10] |
Andersen 1981 | 30 primary nonorgasmic women | Directed masturbation vs. systematic desensitization | Masturbatory group were more capable of reaching orgasm. | [11] |
Everaerd 1982 | 48 couples | Systematic desensitization vs. MJ (sensate focus and genital stimulation) vs. combined treatment. | MJ group had a faster response. | [12] |
Crowe et al. 1981 | 48 couples | One with a couple of therapists vs. one with only one therapist. | Both groups were more interested in sex after treatment. | [13] |
Everaerd et al. 1981 | 48 couples | MJ treatment vs. therapy focused on communication with no sexual interventions. | Women seemed to benefit from both forms of therapy, but sex therapy had more rapid results than communication therapy. | [14] |
Kilmann et al. 1987 | 11 couples | Communication Skills plus Sexual skills vs. Sexual Skills plus Communication Skills. | No significant differences were found between the orders in which communication skills were presented. | [15] |
Fichten et al. 1983 | 23 couples | Bibliotherapy with minimal therapist contact vs. classic couples therapy vs. group therapy. | Sensate focus and ban of intercourse led to an increase in enjoyment of non-coital sexual activities. | [16] |
Libman et al. 1984 | 23 couples | Standard Couples Therapy (one hour per week with a therapist for 14 weeks) vs. Group Therapy (eight women, and partners only participated at three time points: beginning, middle and end of therapy) vs. bibliotherapy with minimal therapist contact. | All formats improved sexuality, but standard couples therapy had better results. | [17] |
Fichten et al. 1986 | 23 couples | Standard Couples Therapy (one hour per week with a therapist for 14 weeks) vs. Group Therapy (eight women, and partners only participated at three time points: beginning, middle and end of therapy) vs. bibliotherapy with minimal therapist contact. | Affective and cognitive measures such as satisfaction and happiness had improved more than behavioral measures. | [18] |
Morokoff et al. 1986 | 43 couples | Heiman and LoPiccolo manual in 2 groups: minimal therapist contact vs. full therapist contact. | The group with minimal therapist contact had better results. | [19] |
Dodge et al. 1982 | 13 women | Heiman and LoPiccolo manual in 2 groups: minimal therapist contact vs. control. | Subjects improved in all measures and the gains were maintained in 6 month follow-up. | [20] |
Spence 1985 | 50 women | Divided by primary or secondary orgasmic dysfunction in three conditions: group, individual e waiting-list control. | Both forms of treatment showed efficacy, but women with primary OD had worse outcomes. | [21] |
Trudel et al. 1983 | 12 women | Kegel’s pelvic exercises vs. sexual awareness, respiratory training and muscle relaxation. | Kegel’s group didn’t show much improvement in sexual response. | [22] |
Chambless et al. 1984 | 73 women | Kegel’s pelvic exercises vs. sexual awareness, respiratory training and muscle relaxation. | Kegel’s group didn’t show much improvement in sexual response. | [23] |
Trudel et al. 2001 | 74 couples with hypoactive sexual desire disorder | CBT vs. waiting list control. | 74% had remission of their symptoms. | [24] |
Ter Kuile et al. 2007 | 117 women with vaginismus | CBT program vs. bibliotherapy vs. waiting list control group. | From 83 women in CBT group, 27 (33%) reported full penetration. | [25] |
Masheb et al. 2009 | 50 women with vulvodynia | Compared CBT and supportive therapy. | Both approaches were effective, with 41.7% of women reporting a 33% reduction in pain scores. | [26] |
Desrochers et al. 2010 | 97 women with vestibulodynia | CBT vs. topical treatment with cream. | Both groups showed improvements in pain scores, but at follow-up, the CBT group continued to show improvement. | [27] |
van Lankeveld et al. 2001 | 199 couples | CBT bibliotherapy with minimum therapist contact by telephone vs. waiting list control group. | Treatment group had greater improvements and women with vaginismus seemed to have the greatest benefits from the program. | [28] |
Mathews et al. 1983 | 48 couples | Combination of testosterone or placebo treatment; sex therapy with monthly or weekly sessions; a female therapist or female-male couple of therapists. | Better outcomes were in placebo plus weekly sessions. | [29] |
Zimmer 1987 | NA | Marital therapy and sex therapy vs. placebo and sex therapy | Both groups improved but marital group had more consistent results. | [30] |
Jones et al. 2011 | 39 women | Evaluate an internet-based based on CBT. | Treatment group had improvements in sex life but not remission of symptoms. | [31] |
Silverstein et al. 2011 | 44 (14 male and 30 female) | Evaluate mindfulness training. | Women showed faster responses to sexual stimuli. | [32] |