A Pilot Study of Eight-Session Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Adapted for Women’s Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder

Abstract

While few treatment options exist for low sexual desire and arousal, the most common sexual dysfunction in women, a growing body of research supports the efficacy of mindfulness-based approaches. The mechanisms underlying improvements, and whether they are due to mindfulness practice or other treatment components, are unclear. As a result, we designed and pilot-tested an eight-session group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for sexuality (MBCT-S) program that includes more extensive practice of mindfulness skills and closely aligns with the evidence-based MBCT program for depression and anxiety. A total of 26 women (mean age 43.9, range 25 to 63) with a diagnosis of sexual interest/arousal disorder participated in eight weekly group sessions, before and after which they completed validated questionnaires. The majority of women attended all sessions and completed the recommended at-home mindfulness exercises. Compared to baseline, women reported significant improvements in sexual desire, overall sexual function, and sex-related distress, regardless of treatment expectations, relationship duration, or low desire duration. Depressed mood and mindfulness also significantly improved and mediated increases in sexual function. These pilot data suggest that eight-session MBCT-S is feasible and significantly improves sexual function, and provide the basis for a larger randomized-controlled trial (RCT) with a longer follow-up period.

Acknowledgments and Funding

The authors would like to thank our coauthors of the MBCT-S treatment manual, Drs. Rosemary Basson, Miriam Driscoll, and Andrea Grabovac, as well as group co-facilitators, Drs. Nicole Pugh and Kelly Smith. Dr. Paterson’s work on this study was funded by postdoctoral fellowships from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Notes

¹ A principal components analysis of the pretreatment MAIA responses extracted eight components with eigenvalues > 1, but all but seven out of 32 items loaded most significantly onto the first factor (eigenvalue = 15.15), which explained 47.4% of the variance.