A Mindfulness-based Intervention for Older Women With Low Sexual Desire

A six-session mindfulness-based intervention focused on sexual health and function. Groups met weekly for 1.5-2 hours over the course of six weeks. Groups were co-led by a primary care physician (the primary investigator) and a trained mindfulness instructor with over 10 years of experience in mindfulness meditation instruction. The intervention contained elements of mindfulness-based stress reduction and sexual psychoeducation. Intervention components including instruction in mindfulness meditation, body scan, awareness of breathing, mindful yoga, and loving kindness meditation, as well as application of these practices to sexual function. At least 30 minutes of each session were spent in mindfulness practice. Sessions also included group discussions and break-out rooms to facilitate discussinos about the practice. Based on prior qualitative research, the intervention also included information about partner sexual dysfunction, body image, and how menopause can affect sexuality. Participants were encouraged to do 60 minutes of mindfulness home practice daily and were provided with audio recordings to facilitate home practice. Home practice included sexuality-specific mindfulness exercises.

The control condition was a six-session health education intervention. Groups met weekly for 1.5-2 hours over the course of six weeks. Groups were led by a primary care physician (the primary investigator) alone. The control intervention covered general educational topics relevant to the health of midlife women, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Sexual health was discussed in one session, but not in detail. At the conclusion of their participation in the group, control group participants were given a brochure with local resources for learning about mindfulness meditation. Participants did not have any homework to complete for this group.