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Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 19 and up

Online psychoeducation program for couples with differing sexual desire

Official title: A Randomized Trial Comparing a Sex Education and Therapy Online Intervention Delivered With and Without Professional Guidance for the Treatment of Sexual Desire Discrepancy in Couples

Run by University of British Columbia · NCT07203417 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project will test whether an 8-week online psychoeducation program, offered with therapist support or self-guided, helps couples who have different levels of sexual desire compared with a waitlist.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages19 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment216 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of British Columbia
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Vancouver, British Columbia and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 1, 2026
Main results expectedApril 30, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJanuary 5, 2026
Trial IDNCT07203417 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are couples in a romantic relationship for at least one year, both aged 19 or older, fluent in English, reporting perceived or actual sexual desire discrepancy with personal or relational distress, willing to complete eight weekly online sessions, and able to access a stable internet connection and a device capable of videoconferencing.

Probably not a fit

Patients who identify as asexual (where the discrepancy stems from asexuality), those unable or unwilling to use online videoconferencing, or those who cannot commit to the intervention schedule or refrain from starting new SDD treatments during the study may not benefit from this program.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized study compares two delivery formats of an 8-week online intervention (STEP): a therapist-guided version (STEP-T) and a self-guided version (STEP-NT), against a waitlist control. Couples who report sexual desire discrepancy and related distress will be randomly assigned to one of the three arms and complete weekly online modules and homework. Outcomes include changes in desire discrepancy and distress, sexual and relationship satisfaction, program engagement, and retention, with measurements taken up to six months after treatment. The study will also explore psychological mechanisms (for example, sexual communication, emotional intimacy, interoceptive awareness, and self-compassion) and factors that might affect response, such as relationship duration and treatment credibility.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, STEP could reduce distress from sexual desire differences and improve sexual and relationship satisfaction while providing an accessible online option with or without therapist support.

How similar studies have gone: Dyadic treatments for sexual desire discrepancy are limited and lack proven standards, so STEP builds on promising principles from individual and online sex-therapy work but remains relatively novel for couples.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be a couple;
2. Be in a romantic relationship for at least one year;
3. Be 19 years of age or older;
4. Experience perceived and/or actual SDD with personal and/or relational distress reported by at least one partner;
5. Be fluent in English;
6. Be willing to participate in 8 weekly online treatment sessions;
7. For couples in long-distance relationships, be able to meet the partner in person and via video call to complete the couple's homework;
8. Be willing to abstain from starting any new treatment for SDD for the duration of the study;
9. Be willing to voluntarily complete questionnaires administered before, during, and after the treatment;
10. Have access to an electronic device capable of running Zoom platform (if randomized to STEP-T);
11. Have a stable internet connection.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cases where the discrepancy is attributable to at least one partner identifying as asexual (asexuality is not considered a sexual dysfunction; APA, 2013);
2. Presence of untreated psychiatric conditions at the time of recruitment (e.g., depression) that would interfere with participating in the treatment and homework;
3. Receive dyadic psychosexual treatment for SDD elsewhere during the study period.

Where it's running

  • UBC Sexual Health Lab, Vancouver Hospital
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada     Recruiting
  • University of British Columbia
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.