Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Evaluation of an internet-based psychological intervention for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Recent research on the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has focused on medical interventions, in particular oral medications. The current study examined the effectiveness of an internet-based psychological intervention for this condition. In total, 31 men (12 in treatment group, 19 in control group) completed the program. The results demonstrated that men who completed the program reported improved erectile functioning and sexual relationship satisfaction and quality. The implications of these findings for the treatment of ED are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Masters WH, Johnson VE . Human Sexual Inadequacy. J & A Churchill Ltd: London, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  2. McCabe MP . Evaluation of a cognitive behavior therapy program for people with sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther 2001; 27: 259–271.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hawton K, Catalan J, Fagg J . Sex therapy for erectile dysfunction: characteristics of couples, treatment outcome, and prognostic factors. Arch Sex Behav 1992; 21: 161–175.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Schover LR, Leiblum SR . Commentary: the stagnation of sex therapy. J Psychol Human Sex 1994; 6: 5–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wiederman MW . The state of theory in sex therapy. J Sex Res 1998; 35: 88–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ansong KS, Lewis C, Jenkins P, Bell J . Help-seeking decisions among men with impotence. Urology 1998; 52: 834–837.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rosen RC, Fisher W, Eardley E, Niederberger C, Nadel A, Sand M . The multinational men's attitudes to life events and sexuality (MALES) study I: prevalence of erectile dysfunction and related health concerns in the general population. Curr Med Res Opin 2004; 20: 607–617.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kubin M, Wagner G, Fugl-Meyer AR . Epidemiology of erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 2003; 15: 63–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mirone V, Gentile V, Zizzo G, Terry M, Longo N, Fusco F et al. Did mem with erectile dysfunction discuss their condition with partner and physicians: a survey of men attending a free call information service. Int J Impot Res 2992; 14: 256–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Fisher WA, Meryn S, Sand M . Communication about erectile dysfunction among men with ED, partners of men with ED, and physicians: the strike up a conversation study (part II). J Mens Health Gend 2005; 2: 309–317.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hall P . Online psychosexual therapy: a summary of pilot study findings. Sex Rel Ther 2004; 19: 167–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Leusink PM, Aarts E . Treating erectile dysfunction through electronic consultation: a pilot study. J Sex Marital Ther 2006; 32: 401–407.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G, Osterloh IH, Kirkpatrick J, Mishra A . The international index of erectile function (IIEF): a multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction. Urology 1997; 49: 822–830.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Schumm WR, Paff-Bergen LA, Hatch RC, Obiorah FC, Copeland JM, Meens LD et al. Concurrent and discriminant validity of the Kansas marital satisfaction scale. J Marriage Fam 1986; 48: 381–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Schumm WR, Scanlon ED, Crow CL, Green DM, Buckler DL . Characteristics of the Kansas marital satisfaction scale in a sample of 79 married couples. Psychol Rep 1983; 53: 583–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Hudson WW, Harrison DF, Crossup PC . A short-form scale to measure sexual discord in dyadic relationships. J Sex Res 1981; 17: 157–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Althof SE, Cappelleri JC, Shpilsky A, Stecher V, Diuguid C, Sweeney M et al. Treatment responsiveness of the self-esteem and relationship questionnaire in erectile dysfunction. Urology 2003; 61: 888–892.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Cappelleri JC, Rosen RC, Smith MD, Mishra A, Osterloh IH . Diagnostic evaluation of the erectile function domain of the international index of erectile function. Urology 1999; 54: 346–351.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Levine SB, Agle D . The effectiveness of sex therapy for chronic secondary psychological impotence. J Sex Marital Ther 1978; 4: 235–258.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sarwer DB, Durlak JA . A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioural treatment for sexual dysfunctions. J Sex Marital Ther 1997; 23: 87–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Xueqian LS, Heqin Y . Cognitive-behavioral therapy for erectile disorder: A study from the people's republic of china. Sex Marital Ther 1990; 5: 105–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Banner LL, Anderson RU . Integrated sildenafil and cognitive behavior sex therapy for psychogeneric erectile dysfunction: A pilot study. J Sex Med 2007; 4: 1117–1125.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. van Lankveld JJDM, Everaerd W, Grotjohann Y . Cognitive-behavioral bibliotherapy for sexual dysfunctions in heterosexual couples: a randomized waiting-list controlled clinical trial in the Netherlands. J Sex Res 2001; 38: 51–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Matic H, McCabe MP . The impact of the use of PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction in the lives of Australian men. Int J Impot Res 2007; 19: 418–423.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Andrology, Australia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M P McCabe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McCabe, M., Price, E., Piterman, L. et al. Evaluation of an internet-based psychological intervention for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 20, 324–330 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2008.3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2008.3

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links