Mindfulness as Treatment of Sexological Problems

NCT ID: NCT03775239

Last Updated: 2023-02-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

34 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-07-25

Study Completion Date

2022-12-19

Brief Summary

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The primary aim of this study is to test Mindfulness in Sex Therapy and Intimate Relationships (MSIR) as an add-on treatment to sex therapy in a clinical sample of patients referred with sexual problems, controlling for time effect, with a treatment as usual activity group.

The secondary aim is to investigate the effect of MSIR alone on sexual dysfunction compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU).

It is hypothesized that the MSIR group, in preceding the usual TAU intervention, will achieve greater benefits in relation to sexual functioning outcomes as measured by subjective and objective measures. The investigators expect that MSIR will help the patients to cultivate accept and body awareness, which will create a wider sense of safety and stability that might help integrating the assistant provided by the traditional approach to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. It is hypothesized that the intervention (MSIR+TAU) reduces the amount of TAU sessions needed in order to achieve a benefit in terms of the patient's sexual dysfunction.

It is furthermore, hypothesized that the intervention (MSIR) alone will have a positive effect on the sexual dysfunction.

The research project outlines a pragmatic pilot randomized control trial to evaluate MSIR treatment as an add-on to the treatment-as-usual (TAU) compared to TAU for sexual difficulties in men and women.

Detailed Description

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BACKGROUND:

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high, although estimates are variable. For men, the reported level of sexual difficulty, taking all conditions into account, is around 33% or up to 46%. For women, the reported level of sexual difficulty is higher, with estimates up to around 66%. Sexual dysfunctions are associated with a negative impact on the quality of life in both men and women and there is therefore a need for effective treatments.

AIM:

The primary aim of this study is to test Mindfulness in Sex Therapy and Intimate Relationships (MSIR) as an add-on treatment to sex therapy in a clinical sample of patients referred with sexual problems, controlling for time effect, with a treatment as usual activity group.

The secondary aim is to investigate the effect of MSIR alone on sexual dysfunction compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU).

It is hypothesized that the MSIR group, in preceding the usual TAU intervention, will achieve greater benefits in relation to sexual functioning outcomes as measured by subjective and objective measures. The investigators expect that MSIR will help the patients to cultivate accept and body awareness, which will create a wider sense of safety and stability that might help integrating the assistant provided by the traditional approach to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. It is hypothesized that the intervention (MSIR+TAU) reduces the amount of TAU sessions needed in order to achieve a benefit in terms of the patient's sexual dysfunction.

It is furthermore, hypothesized that the intervention (MSIR) alone will have a positive effect on the sexual dysfunction

METHODS:

The present study will take form as a feasibility study and is seen as a pilot study which will provide a view on MSIR's effectiveness in the natural environment of Sexological Clinic, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen.

The research project outlines a pragmatic randomized control trial to evaluate MSIR treatment as an add-on to the treatment-as-usual (TAU) compared to TAU for male and female sexual difficulties. The participants will be drawn from Sexological Clinic's patients referred with sexual problems as decreased desire, erectile dysfunction, orgasmic/ejaculatory dysfunction or hypersexuality.

30 patients will be included; 15 in the MSIR group and 15 as controls. The investigators aim for an equal number of men and women in each group. To follow the methodology of a pragmatic design, the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be kept at a minimum.

MEASURES:

Validated questionnaires will measure the main dependent variables: sexual functioning (FSFI, FSDS, IIEF), mindfulness (TMS, MAIA, FFMQ) and number of sessions of treatment completed. Descriptive variables are SCL-10, well-being (WHO-5) and sociodemographic questionnaire. The questionnaires will be handed out before the beginning of the treatment, after 3 sessions, after 6 sessions, after 9 sessions, in the end of the treatment and then after 6 months of follow-up.

STATISTICS:

Baseline characteristics of the two groups will be compared as appropriate, using independent samples t-test for continuous variables, Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square for categorical variables. The second step is calculating the effect size for change in each dimension for each group using Cohens' d. The statistically significant level p \< 0.05 (two sides) will be used.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The trial is approved by the Regional Ethics Committee in the Capital Region of Denmark and the Danish Data Protection agency.

Conditions

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Sexual Dysfunction Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological Sexual Dysfunctions, Physiological

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Treatment-as-usual

Those who are randomly selected to treatment-as-usual will receive a minimum of 6 sessions at Sexological Clinic.

Group Type OTHER

Treatment-as-usual

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The current treatment in Sexological Clinic is an eclectic, synthetic therapy form conducted by psychiatrists, other medical doctors, psychologists and bodytherapists.

In order to implement the bio-psycho-social character of sexual dysfunctions, the current treatment takes advantage of different elements from different therapy forms combined with pharmacological treatment if necessary.

The integrated treatment combines elements from therapy's such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy and systemic therapy together with Master and Johnson's sensate focus training, body exercises training as pelvis floor exercises, introduction of sexual aids and if necessary pharmacological treatment. The therapy can be individual treatment, couple therapy (marital therapy) or group therapy.

Treatment-as-usual + MSIR

Those who are randomly selected to receive Mindfulness in Sex Therapy and Intimate Relationships (MSIR) will first receive 6 weeks of mindfulness followed by treatment-as-usual. The intervention will take place at Sexological Clinic.

Group Type OTHER

Mindfulness in Sex Therapy and Intimate Relationships (MSIR)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness is a mental discipline inviting intentional, non-judgmental attending of the stream of experience. Mindfulness can be seen as an adjunct to sexual therapy. Firstly, it is a way of teaching the patients and the couples to carry out sensate focus so that it can achieve its goals. Beyond this, Mindfulness may invite a stance to one's own and a partner's physical and emotional experience that is more widely beneficial. The MSIR intervention was originally developed from the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) protocol and consists of:

Week 1: Moving into the Body Week 2: Sensing \& Exploring Week 3: Avoidance \& Intimacy- Midway individual session. Week 4: Recognising our automatic mind Week 5: Spacious Awareness Week 6: Expanding new learning

Treatment-as-usual

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The current treatment in Sexological Clinic is an eclectic, synthetic therapy form conducted by psychiatrists, other medical doctors, psychologists and bodytherapists.

In order to implement the bio-psycho-social character of sexual dysfunctions, the current treatment takes advantage of different elements from different therapy forms combined with pharmacological treatment if necessary.

The integrated treatment combines elements from therapy's such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy and systemic therapy together with Master and Johnson's sensate focus training, body exercises training as pelvis floor exercises, introduction of sexual aids and if necessary pharmacological treatment. The therapy can be individual treatment, couple therapy (marital therapy) or group therapy.

Interventions

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Mindfulness in Sex Therapy and Intimate Relationships (MSIR)

Mindfulness is a mental discipline inviting intentional, non-judgmental attending of the stream of experience. Mindfulness can be seen as an adjunct to sexual therapy. Firstly, it is a way of teaching the patients and the couples to carry out sensate focus so that it can achieve its goals. Beyond this, Mindfulness may invite a stance to one's own and a partner's physical and emotional experience that is more widely beneficial. The MSIR intervention was originally developed from the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) protocol and consists of:

Week 1: Moving into the Body Week 2: Sensing \& Exploring Week 3: Avoidance \& Intimacy- Midway individual session. Week 4: Recognising our automatic mind Week 5: Spacious Awareness Week 6: Expanding new learning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Treatment-as-usual

The current treatment in Sexological Clinic is an eclectic, synthetic therapy form conducted by psychiatrists, other medical doctors, psychologists and bodytherapists.

In order to implement the bio-psycho-social character of sexual dysfunctions, the current treatment takes advantage of different elements from different therapy forms combined with pharmacological treatment if necessary.

The integrated treatment combines elements from therapy's such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy and systemic therapy together with Master and Johnson's sensate focus training, body exercises training as pelvis floor exercises, introduction of sexual aids and if necessary pharmacological treatment. The therapy can be individual treatment, couple therapy (marital therapy) or group therapy.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Patients aged 20-65 years referred to Sexological Clinic and diagnosed with sexual dysfunction (desire dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, orgasm dysfunction, sexual pain or hyper sexuality).

* After assessment, being allocated to individual or couple therapy for their sexual dysfunction. The partner will be included in case of couples therapy
* Allocated to a minimum of 6 treatment sessions in TAU after assessment
* Giving informed consent
* Being able to read, write, speak and understand the Danish language.

Exclusion Criteria

* Assessed for group therapy
* Cannot participate at the scheduled MSIR session due for practical reasons
* Having experienced sexual trauma in the past, suffering from mental illness, severe somatic disease and/or addiction
* Withdrawing their informed consent
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Den Owesenske Fond

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Mental Health Services in the Capital Region, Denmark

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Sexological Clinic

Copenhagen, , Denmark

Site Status

Countries

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Denmark

Other Identifiers

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H-18017600

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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