(158) A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE EFFICACY OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Authors: Bonato F , Mussi A , Gund B , Pellizzer C , Genez L , Gobbi R , Cardoso N 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Some studies suggest the use of group psychotherapy (GP) as an effective treatment for female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs). GP allows a rich exchange of experiences that would not be achieved through individual care. This treatment modality also gives people in vulnerable situations the opportunity for low-cost psychotherapy. Although GP are indicated in multiple fields of health for the treatment of different pathologies, no literature reviews have investigated the effects of GP for the treatment of FSDs or compared the effectiveness of group interventions with other types of interventions (e.g., medication or individual psychotherapy).

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of GP in the treatment of FSDs. The secondary goals are to assess (1) which are the main FSDs treated through GP; (2) the main GP approaches and (3) the main countries where GP was used.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). Using six scientific databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library, PsycINFO, Embase, and Scopus. The eligibility criteria were studies that included women ≥18 years old with an established diagnosis of any FSD or any level of sexual dysfunction (SD); at least one group received GP; the intervention was delivered by health professionals; have comparison of GP with itself (pre-post) or comparison of GP with any other type of treatment; the study was a randomized (RCT) or non-randomized (NRCT) controlled trial; and studies that had some type of statistical evidence of efficacy (e.g., Cohen’s d,) or sufficient data to perform effect size calculation of the intervention.

Results
Initially, 615 articles were found, but only 14 studies remained after the application of the criteria. The included articles spanned a wide time frame, from 1978 to 2022. The majority (n = 10) were published between 2014 and 2022. Most of the studies were RCTs (n = 8). Almost half (n = 6) of the papers were conducted in Canada, followed by Iran, the USA, the Netherlands, and Brazil, with two studies in each country. Sexual function (SF) was the most analyzed (n = 10), followed by pain during intercourse (n = 4). Vulvar pain and sexual interest/arousal disorder were assessed by three studies. Our findings suggest that for SF enhancement, GCBT and MBGT are the most used GP, with robust evidence of effectiveness. Other psychological approaches based on CBT, such as bibliotherapy, have also shown moderate effect sizes.

Conclusions
Our findings corroborate previous studies which suggest that the use of CBT and MBCT for the treatment of FSDs reduces anxiety levels, improving the positive attitude toward sexual health and, consequently. GCBT and MBGT have both shown medium to large effect sizes in improving female sexual function. Medium to large effect sizes were also found during the treatment of vulvar pain and pain during intercourse with GCBT. Only MGGT showed a significant effect size for low desire treatment. MBGT was the most used and effective intervention for the treatment of sexual interest/arousal disorder.

Disclosure
No.