Mohammad Arash Ramezani1, Khodabakhsh Ahmadi2, Mohammadali Besharat3, Sima Noohi2, Afagh Ghaemmaghami4. 1. a Family Research Institute , Shahid Beheshti University, GC , Tehran , Iran. 2. b Behavioral Sciences Research Center , Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran. 3. c Department of Psychology , Tehran University , Tehran , Iran. 4. d Behsa Family Therapy Group , Tehran , Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to compare the efficacy of metacognitive therapy (MCT) against Masters-Johnson sex therapy (MJST) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in Iranian couples. METHODS: A randomized treatment trial was conducted. Participants were recruited from the family counseling clinics in Tehran and Isfahan. All were suffering from HSDD as defined by DSM-IV-R criteria. They were assigned randomly to two groups that received 10 sessions of either MCT or MJST. A sexual desire questionnaire was completed by participants before and after therapy and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS:Sexual desire increased significantly in the MCT group with respect to the MJST group which failed to show any significant improvement from baseline. Both groups showed a reduction in scores at 6-month follow-up. The difference recorded between the two groups after therapy was no longer significant at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION:MCT affected sexual desire more than MJST as evaluated after therapy but the gain was not maintained at follow-up. Future research needs to investigate whether a greater focus on metacognitive beliefs about sexual behavior can improve the stability of treatment effects.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to compare the efficacy of metacognitive therapy (MCT) against Masters-Johnson sex therapy (MJST) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in Iranian couples. METHODS: A randomized treatment trial was conducted. Participants were recruited from the family counseling clinics in Tehran and Isfahan. All were suffering from HSDD as defined by DSM-IV-R criteria. They were assigned randomly to two groups that received 10 sessions of either MCT or MJST. A sexual desire questionnaire was completed by participants before and after therapy and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Sexual desire increased significantly in the MCT group with respect to the MJST group which failed to show any significant improvement from baseline. Both groups showed a reduction in scores at 6-month follow-up. The difference recorded between the two groups after therapy was no longer significant at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: MCT affected sexual desire more than MJST as evaluated after therapy but the gain was not maintained at follow-up. Future research needs to investigate whether a greater focus on metacognitive beliefs about sexual behavior can improve the stability of treatment effects.
Entities:
Keywords:
metacognitive therapy; sex therapy; sexual desire; sexuality; treatment