Abstract
Abstract Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual dysfunction that affects the sexual health of millions of men around the world. In recent years, the evidence indicates an increase in cases of ED among individuals under 40 years old. In most cases, the etiology is of psychogenic origin. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven effective and remains one of the most widely used treatments for ED in these cases although controlled studies are lacking. One of the most effective CBT techniques is a set of activities performed by a couple, known as systematic desensitization (SD). SD involves gradually exposing the patient to feared intimacy-related activities with their partner. However, many patients do not have a stable partner or do not want their partner to participate in the treatment. Technological advances are helping to create virtual SD programs which are able to reproduce the sights, sounds, and other sensations of the feared situation. Objective Our goal is to determine the potential usefulness of a new virtual reality-based SD program for the treatment of psychogenic ED (pED). Methods Six sexually active men diagnosed with pED based on criteria for Erectile Disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) completed virtual SD over 8 weeks. The program consisted of one educational session and five different virtual reality audio exercises which were completed at home using a masturbation aid device called Myhixel ED01, that is connected to a smartphone. The five-item Spanish version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire was used to assess symptoms before and after the treatment and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire was used for evaluating satisfaction with treatment. Results Patients enrolled had a mean age of 34.83 years (range 27–39) and experienced an improvement in erectile function, mean IIEF-5 score pretreatment was 11(range 9–13) mean posttreatment IIEF score was 18 (range 14–21). The mean EDITS index score at the end of the treatment was 64.70 (range 59–70.25). No adverse effects were reported during the treatment. Conclusions This case series suggests that the use of a virtual reality-based SD could be a potentially effective and safe therapeutic option for men with pED. This new treatment would facilitate greater access of men with pED to one of the most commonly used strategies of sexual therapy, as it would no longer require the participation of a partner. Studies with adequate sample sizes, control groups, randomization, and follow-up are needed to determine the effectiveness of this new treatment. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: NEW WELLNESS CONCEPT SL.
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