Mindfulness-based intervention and sexuality: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine and psychology
• Sexual health and wellness
• Mindfulness-based interventions

Background:

• Mindfulness-based treatments (MBT) have gained attention for various conditions.
• Their efficacy for sexual dysfunctions and related issues, including compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), requires systematic evaluation.
• This review addresses whether MBT effectively reduces symptomatology in sexuality-related disorders.

Approach:

• A systematic literature search was conducted adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Eleven empirical studies meeting specific inclusion criteria were analyzed.
• The review included articles on MBT for sexuality-related problems in clinical populations without date or language restrictions.

Key Points:

• Evidence suggests MBT may be effective for certain sexual disorders, notably female sexual arousal/desire disorder.
• Limited studies exist for conditions like situational erectile dysfunction, genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder, and CSBD.
• Current findings for these less-studied conditions cannot be broadly generalized.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness-based therapies demonstrate potential in alleviating symptoms across diverse sexual problems.
• Further research is essential to confirm efficacy for a wider range of sexual health conditions.
• The study highlights future research directions and clinical implications for MBT in sexual health.