Abstracts

Hannah Maren Schmidt, Cindy Höhn, Eugen Widmeier, and Michael Martin Berner. Psychosocial Interventions for Male Sexual Dysfunction („Psychosoziale Interventionen für sexuelle Funktionsstörungen bei Männern“). Zeitschrift für Sexualforschung 2017; 2: 95–137

In this systematic review we examined the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for formally diagnosed male sexual dysfunction. We included randomized controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) conducted between 1985 and 2014 that examined at least one psychosocial intervention in comparison with an active intervention (e. g. other psychosocial intervention, medical or somatic treatment) or a control group (e. g. waitlist, placebo). Extraction was conducted independently from one another by 2 raters using a standardized manual. Furthermore, the risk of bias of primary studies was assessed. We included 25 studies, whereby most trials explored erectile dysfunction. More than half of all the studies used either a concept derived from Masters and Johnson or a cognitive-behavioral treatment program. Overall, psychosocial interventions improved sexual functioning. However, there were also improvements, at least partial, in some of the waitlist or placebo control groups. Studies on erectile dysfunction showed contradictory results regarding the question as to whether psychosocial interventions are superior to medical treatment. Studies on premature ejaculation have increased over the past years, while studies on male hypoactive sexual desire and delayed orgasm are notably rare. One shortcoming was the rather imprecise reporting in some of the primary studies. Most of the interventions compared proved to be similar in terms of effectiveness. This may point to common underlying change factors.

Keywords: Erectile dysfunction; premature ejaculation; premature orgasm; psychotherapy; sexual dysfunction in men