A Mindfulness-based Intervention for Older Women With Low Sexual Desire

University of Pittsburgh

Status: Completed

Conditions: Female Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual Dysfunction; Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: mindfulness-based multicomponent intervention; Behavioral: general health education group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03232801

PRO15060240

K23AG052628 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The overall aim of this research is to adapt and pilot test a multi-component, mindfulness-based behavioral intervention for women age 50 and older with low sexual desire.

Full description

Specifically, the investigators will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention. Fifty women will be randomized to the mindfulness intervention or an educational control group. Both groups will be conducted in 3 sessions over 6 weeks in groups of 10 women. Feasibility, acceptability, facilitators, and barriers will be assessed by surveys after each session and after intervention completion. Preliminary efficacy will be assessed by measures of sexual desire, sexual function, and overall sexual satisfaction at 6 and 12 weeks.

Enrollment: 62 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• meet criteria for a diagnosis of Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
• English-speaking
• have a current sexual partner with whom they are or would like to be sexually active

Exclusion criteria

• active major depression
• active substance abuse
• current intimate partner violence
• partner with active major depression
• partner with active major substance abuse
• significant relationship dissatisfaction
• current use of antidepressants
• untreated dyspareunia (sexual pain)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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62 participants in 2 patient groups

mindfulness group

Experimental group

Description:

A multicomponent group-based intervention rooted in mindfulness, administered in 3 sessions over 6 weeks

Treatment:

Behavioral: mindfulness-based multicomponent intervention

educational group

Active Comparator group

Description:

A general midlife health and aging educational group, administered in 3 sessions over 6 weeks

Treatment:

Behavioral: general health education group