Digital Interventions for Female Sexual Pain Disorders: A Systematic Review with Evidence Mapping and Limited...

Area of Science:

• Sexual Health
• Digital Therapeutics
• Women's Health

Background:

• Female sexual pain disorders, including genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD)/vaginismus and vulvodynia/vestibulodynia, present significant barriers to accessing specialized care.
• Digital interventions offer a potential solution to overcome these access challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the clinical efficacy and engagement of digital interventions for female sexual pain disorders.
• To map the existing evidence across various digital formats, including internet-based programs, apps, and digital therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review incorporating evidence mapping and limited quantitative synthesis.
• Inclusion of 51 studies for qualitative synthesis and 3 studies for quantitative synthesis.
• Analysis of digital formats such as guided internet-based programs, app-based interventions, and digital therapeutics.

Main Results:

• Digital interventions suggest potential improvements in penetration-related outcomes, sexual function, and pain-related outcomes.
• Guided digital formats exhibited stronger user engagement compared to other formats.
• Evidence synthesis included 51 studies qualitatively and 3 studies quantitatively.

Conclusions:

• Digital care for female sexual pain disorders appears promising, offering a scalable approach to treatment.
• The current body of literature is methodologically heterogeneous, requiring further high-quality research.
• Strongest direct evidence is concentrated within a limited number of diagnosis-specific trials, highlighting the need for more research.