Effects of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Supportive Sex Education on Sexual Concordance and Sexual Response Among Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.
Meredith L Chivers, Bozena Zdaniuk, Martin Lalumière, Lori A Brotto
Journal of sex research 2025 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2319695 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 148 |
| Population | Cisgender women with low sexual desire and arousal |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Supportive sex education |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, with assessments at 6- and 12-month follow-ups |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy increased sexual concordance more than supportive sex education, and gains in concordance predicted improvements in sexual distress. |
Abstract
Low interest in sexual activity and impaired sexual response are among women's most frequent sexual concerns. Mindfulness-based treatments improve low sexual desire and arousal and associated distress. One theorized mechanism of change is the cultivation of increased mind-body awareness via greater concordance between psychological and physiological components of sexual response. We examined sexual psychophysiology data from 148 cisgender women randomized to receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MCBT: n = 70) or supportive sex education (STEP: n = 78) over eight weekly group sessions. Women completed in-lab assessments of subjective, affective, and genital sexual responses to an erotic film pre- and post-treatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Both groups showed positive changes in sexual and affective responses, but these were generally more pronounced for MBCT. MCBT increased sexual concordance to a greater degree, and gains in sexual concordance predicted improvements in sexual distress throughout treatment.