Developing Cognitive Bias Modification Scenarios for Women with Sexual Interest Arousal Disorder and Comparing Effectiveness with Mindfulness Therapy

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop and validate the scenarios of cognitive bias modification of interpretation (CBM-I) in women with sexual interest arousal disorder (SIAD) and comparing its effectiveness with mindfulness therapy in Iran. This study was performed by mixed method in two phases. In the first phase of the study, CBM treatment scenarios were developed. In the second phase, 45 women with SIAD were selected and randomly divided into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). In the qualitative phase of the research on the evaluation of the designed scenarios, 80 scenarios remained among the 100 scenarios by meeting the content validity criteria, fidelity, acceptance, and satisfaction with the treatment. Both experimental treatments exceeded the no treatment control but that mindfulness was more effective than CBM-I as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire (p < 0.001). According to the findings, the use of CBM-I to replace positive interpretations with negative interpretations of cognitive bias in SIAD has a clinical application. Therefore, CBM-I can be used as practical treatment along with other treatments to reduce the symptoms of sexual dysfunction.