Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Iranian Women with Vaginismus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AbstractBackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionVaginismus can substantially affect sexual and relationship well-being, yet evidence regarding internet-based interventions remains limited, particularly in non-Western settings. This study evaluated a culturally adapted, therapist-supported internet-based c...
| Published in: | International Journal of Sexual Health pp. 1 - 13 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Sep2026
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=196686439&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 196686439 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 19317611 34V5 jtl: International Journal of Sexual Health issn: 19317611 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Sep2026 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 196686439 10.1080/19317611.2026.2723164 196686439 ppf: 1 ppct: 12 formats: tig: atl: Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Iranian Women with Vaginismus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. aug: au: Bina, Maede Merghati-khoei, Effat Rahimzadeh, Mitra Lotfi, Razieh affil: MSc. Counseling in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences sug: ab: AbstractBackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionVaginismus can substantially affect sexual and relationship well-being, yet evidence regarding internet-based interventions remains limited, particularly in non-Western settings. This study evaluated a culturally adapted, therapist-supported internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for Iranian women with primary vaginismus.In this randomized controlled trial, 40 women with primary vaginismus were randomly assigned to an intervention or waitlist control group (n = 20 each). The intervention group received eight sessions of internet-based CBT. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at 4-week follow-up. The primary outcome was successful vaginal (coital) penetration assessed by item 1 of the Penetration Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ). Secondary outcomes were Successful Non-Coital Penetration (SNCP), catastrophic thoughts, and pelvic-floor tightening. Per-protocol analyses included 17 intervention and 20 control participants.Successful vaginal penetration was reported by 12/17 intervention participants (70.6%) versus 0/20 controls immediately post-treatment (risk difference, 70.6 percentage points; 95% CI, 41.9–86.7; <italic>P</italic> < .001), and by 14/17 (82.4%) versus 0/20 at 4-week follow-up (risk difference, 82.4 percentage points; 95% CI, 54.0–93.8; <italic>P</italic> < .001). Median SNCP improvement was 4 points in the intervention group versus 0 in controls at both assessments (Holm-adjusted P < .001 and P = .006, respectively). Improvements in catastrophic thoughts and pelvic-floor tightening were also greater in the intervention group at both assessments (both Holm-adjusted <italic>P</italic> < .001).Therapist-supported internet-based CBT was associated with improved short-term penetration outcomes and reductions in catastrophic thoughts and pelvic-floor tightening. Further evaluation in larger and more diverse samples with longer follow-up is warranted. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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