Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training and cognitive-behavioral therapy on sexual satisfaction of women with vaginismus disorder

Regarding the impact of vaginismus on sexual satisfaction and using effective treatments, the present study compared the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy training and cognitive-behavioral therapy training on sexual satisfaction of women with vaginismus disorder.

In the present study, forty-five women with vaginismus, who referred to Mashhad Rahiab Sexual Counseling Clinic in October-November of 2018, were selected by purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: control, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Then all participants fulfilled the Sex Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ) before and after the intervention. The experimental groups underwent intervention for 8 two-hour sessions per week. During this period, the control group did not receive any intervention. Data analyzed through descriptive indices, multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance.

Results of comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy on marital satisfaction in all dimensions showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has a greater impact on sexual satisfaction dimensions. Also, the results showed that both methods of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy have an effect on sexual satisfaction.

Based on the results, it seems that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has a greater effect on sexual satisfaction compared cognitive-behavioral therapy and it is recommended to be used in psychological clinics.