The treatment of sexually dysfunctional men without partners: a controlled study of three behavioural group approaches.

Background: Models of sex therapy for sexual dysfunction in single men are available, but their value is not well established. This controlled study compared three approaches to the treatment of sexually dysfunctional single men.

Method: Sixty-nine single men diagnosed as sexually dysfunctional were randomly assigned to treatments focusing on either their sexual dysfunction, their interpersonal problems, a combination of both or a waiting list; 51 completed treatment and 50 the one-year follow-up. Treatment was administered in small groups in 15 weekly sessions and four six-weekly sessions during the first six months of a year-long follow-up.

Results: No clinically meaningful change was observed during the waiting period. In contrast, a significant and equivalent improvement was observed in all treatment groups by the end of treatment. However, differences between them were in evidence at 6 and 12 months' follow-up.

Conclusions: Both treatments paying attention to the patients' interpersonal difficulties resulted in significantly better outcomes overall than the approach that concentrated on problems in sexual functioning alone.