Providing Insight Into and Mindfulness for Situational Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is among the most common sexual dysfunctions experienced by men, affecting at least one third of men across the lifespan. Although pharmacological treatments are available, adherence to these treatments is poor, suggesting the need for integration of psychological interventions. This study will determine if a 6-session mindfulness-based psychosexual therapy (MBPST) group will be effective and feasible for men with situational ED. This study is adapted from a previously published 4-session MBPST protocol which was found to be beneficial for men with situational ED. Outcomes are measured using self-report questionnaires on sexual functioning/enjoyment, relationship satisfaction, and treatment acceptability.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-session mindfulness-based psychosexual therapy (MBPST) treatment protocol using self-report questionnaires. The current protocol is adapted from a pre-existing 4-session mindfulness-based psychosexual therapy (MBPST) protocol from a pilot study which has already demonstrated benefits in the treatment of situational erectile dysfunction (ED). The six sessions include elements of psychoeducation, cognitive therapy, mindfulness training, and sex therapy techniques. The elements comprising the six sessions are evidence-based, as their effectiveness has been demonstrated in female samples (e.g., Brotto et al., 2012; Paterson et al., 2017), and more recently in the context of a four-session pilot in men with situational ED (H15-03172; published in Bossio et al., 2018). The rationale for an increase from a 4 to 6-session approach came from qualitative analysis of participant perspectives in the pilot study and from investigator experience.

HYPOTHESES

1. Men who undergo MBPST treatment will show significant post-treatment improvements at follow-up (immediately following treatment and at 1- and 4-months after treatment completion), compared to baseline, to primary endpoints of: (i) erectile functioning; (ii) sexual distress; (iii) sexual satisfaction and pleasure.
2. Men who undergo MBPST treatment will show significant post-treatment improvements at follow-up (immediately following treatment and at 1- and 4-months after treatment completion), compared to baseline, to secondary endpoints of: (i) psychological variables/mental status (i.e., anxiety); (ii) mindfulness-related variables; and (iii) relationship satisfaction. The role of secondary endpoints as mediators to primary endpoints of sexual functioning will also be assessed.
3. Men will report significantly less use of medications for ED (i.e., PDE5 inhibitors and intracavernosal injections) at 4-month follow-up compared to pre-treatment.

JUSTIFICATION Sexual dysfunction affects at least one third of men across the lifespan (Laumann, Paik, \& Rosen, 1999), and can have significant impact on quality of life and on intimate relationships (Hatzimouratidis et al., 2010). Erectile dysfunction (ED), or the inability to attain and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity (NIH, 1993), is among the most common sexual dysfunctions experienced by men. The aetiology of ED is complex and can result from a variety of physiological (e.g., age, cardiovascular health, medication use), psychological (e.g., anxiety), and lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking status; Nicolosi, Moreira, Shirai, Tambi, \& Glasser, 2003). Situational ED refers to ED that occurs in certain contexts (e.g., with a partner), but not others (e.g., masturbation, nocturnal erections).

Although pharmacological interventions (i.e., PDE5 inhibitors) have been available to treat ED since the 1990's, adherence to these treatments is poor, with approximately 50% of men failing to re-fill their first prescription (Carvalheira, Pereira, Maroco, \& Forjaz, 2012; Hanash, 1997), despite the restoration of erections (Giannitsas, Konstantinopoulos, Patsialas, \& Perimenis, 2008). This low adherence to pharmacological treatments suggests that there are aspects of ED, beyond the rigidity of erections that are not being addressed by medications. This may be particularly true in the case of situational ED, where psychogenic factors are playing a major role (McCabe et al., 2016).

There is increasing evidence documenting the benefits of MBCT for women with sexual dysfunction (Brotto, Basson, \& Luria, 2008; Brotto et al., 2008; Brotto et al., 2012; Brotto, Seal, \& Rellini, 2012; Brotto \& Basson, 2014; Paterson, Handy, \& Brotto, 2017). Further, the investigators recently adapted a pre-existing 4-session MBPST protocol, which had already been shown to be effective in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, to fit the needs of men with situational ED and pilot-tested it in group format (H15-03172). Our pilot data suggest significant benefits for men with situational ED (Bossio, Basson, Driscoll, Correia, \& Brotto, 2019). However, feedback from the pilot participants indicated a need for additional sessions as they had only begun to establish a regular mindfulness practice. Mindfulness-based interventions consisting of eight sessions are common and have been shown to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms (Sipe \& Eisendrath, 2012), depressive relapse (Teasdale, Segal, Williams, Ridgeway, Soulsby, \& Lau, 2000), and anxiety (Evans, Ferrando, Findler, Stowell, Smart, \& Haglin, 2008). However, the investigators were skeptical about the willingness and ability of patients to commit to eight consecutive weeks of treatment. Therefore, the current project is a pilot study intended to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-session MBPST program for situational ED.

OBJECTIVES The main objective of this study is to test the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-session MBPST protocol for men with situational ED. Specifically, the investigators hope to find that men who undergo this treatment will experience improvements in primary (e.g., decreased erectile dysfunction and sexual distress), and secondary endpoints (e.g., increased relationship satisfaction and mental well-being). Further, the investigators hope to find that gains in the primary and secondary endpoints are maintained at 1- and 4-months.

RESEARCH DESIGN Participants (N=60) will take part in a 6-session MBPST group (n=6-10) for treatment of situational ED, either in-person or in an online format. Each session will be 2 hours in length and will be spaced one week apart, for a total of 12 hours of treatment time. Participants will also take part in supportive group follow-up sessions at 1- and 4-months following group completion where participants are free to share their experiences with the group, ask questions, and participate in troubleshooting. Treatment endpoints will be assessed at four time-points (pre-treatment (Time 1), immediate post-treatment (Time 2), 1-month post-treatment (Time 3), and 4-months post-treatment (Time 4)).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS One-way repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) will be used to assess our primary hypothesis-that men will show improvements in primary (i.e., sexual functioning) endpoints following treatment-with the primary endpoint measures as the dependent variables (e.g., ED severity, sexual distress, sexual satisfaction, pleasure), time-point (pre-treatment, immediate post-treatment, 1-month post-treatment, and 4-months post-treatment) as the independent variable, and age as a covariate.

Our secondary hypotheses-that men will show improvements secondary endpoints (i.e., mindfulness-related variables, mental status, and relationship factors) following treatment-will also be examined using the same repeated-measures MANOVA strategy described above. The hypothesis that secondary endpoints act as mediators of sexual functioning following treatment will also be examined using repeated-measures ANOVAs with primary endpoint measures as the dependent variable (i.e., sexual functioning), time-point (pre-treatment, immediate post-treatment, 1-month post-treatment, and 4-months post-treatment) as the independent variable, and secondary endpoints (e.g., change in relationship satisfaction) as mediators.

Our tertiary hypothesis-that men will report using medications for ED significantly less 4-months after treatment conclusion compared with pre-treatment use-will be assessed using paired-sample t-tests comparing frequency of use and dose before treatment and 4-months after treatment.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

This study is open to individuals who are:

* Diagnosed with situational erectile dysfunction (ED) of at least 6 months duration, as assessed by a physician at the BC Centre for Sexual Medicine according to DSM-5 criteria
* 19 years of age or older
* Fluent enough in English to participate in group
* Willing to abstain from using medications for ED (i.e., PDE5 inhibitors, intracavernosal injections, MUSE etc.) from the start of treatment until the 1-month follow-up (totaling 10 weeks)
* Comfortable and interested in participating in a small group format with 6-10 others

Exclusion Criteria:

This study is not suitable for individuals who:

* Do not experience an exacerbation of ED in the partnered context
* Have a current unmanaged health condition (e.g., unmanaged diabetes mellitus) or unstable mental health condition (e.g., severe depression/anxiety, active suicidal ideation) that would interfere with self- or partnered-sexual activities or with group participation
* Do no feel comfortable participating in a small group format with 6-10 others