Feasibility of a Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy Intervention for Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACT Female sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD) is strongly influenced by interpersonal factors; however, there are no empirically-supported, couple-based sex therapy interventions for this disorder. This pre-registered study tested the feasibility of a cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) intervention for SIAD. A sample of 19 couples in which a female partner was diagnosed with SIAD completed a 16-session CBCT intervention delivered online by therapists with PhD-level training in clinical psychology. Women with SIAD (M age = 43.47, SD = 12.76) and their partners (M age = 43.74, SD = 11.68) were in long-term relationships (M = 13.86, SD = 9.15). The CBCT sessions were video recorded and independently coded for treatment manual adherence and therapists reported on the completion of in-session and homework exercises. Participants completed measures of treatment satisfaction following the intervention as well as dyadic sexual desire (women with SIAD only) and sexual distress prior to treatment, post-treatment, and at 6 months follow-up. The therapists exhibited a high level of adherence to the treatment manual and couples had high rates of homework completion. Moreover, couples had low dropout rates, high attendance rates, and reported moderately high global treatment satisfaction and high satisfaction with virtual care. Women with SIAD reported large improvements in dyadic sexual desire and sexual distress from pre-treatment to post-treatment and pre-treatment to 6-month follow-up. Partners reported moderate and small improvements in sexual distress for post-treatment and 6-month follow-up, respectively. Results support the feasibility of an evidence-based CBCT intervention for SIAD and the need for a randomized clinical trial of the intervention.