Online psychoeducation program for couples with differing sexual desire
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
NA · University of British Columbia · NCT07203417
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
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 216 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of British Columbia (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Vancouver, British Columbia and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07203417 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Vancouver, British Columbia and 1 other locations
- UBC Sexual Health Lab, Vancouver Hospital — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (RECRUITING)
- University of British Columbia — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lori A Brotto — University of British Columbia
- Study coordinator: Roberta Galizia
- Email: roberta.galizia@ubc.ca
- Phone: 604 875 4111
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Sexual Desire, Psychoeducation, Sex Therapy, Online Intervention, Dyadic Treatment