Evaluating Sexual Psychoeducation in Couples With Sexual Desire Discrepancy (NCT07203417) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Evaluating Sexual Psychoeducation in Couples With Sexual Desire Discrepancy
Canada216 participantsStarted 2026-01-01
Plain-language summary
Sexual desire discrepancy (SDD) occurs when partners have different levels of sexual desire and are distressed by it. It is one of the most common reasons couples seek help, but no proven dyadic treatment currently exists. This study will test STEP, an online program designed to support couples with SDD. The investigators will compare two formats of STEP: one with therapist support and one self-guided, against a waitlist control group. The investigators will also assess how satisfied couples are and how they engage with the two online formats. This study will generate new data on how effective STEP is with and without guidance, and inform treatment guidelines.
Who can participate
Age range
19 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Be a couple;
. Be in a romantic relationship for at least one year;
. Be 19 years of age or older;
. Experience perceived and/or actual SDD with personal and/or relational distress reported by at least one partner;
. Be fluent in English;
. Be willing to participate in 8 weekly online treatment sessions;
. For couples in long-distance relationships, be able to meet the partner in person and via video call to complete the couple's homework;
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
A change in relational sexual distress
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
2
A change in personal sexual distress
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
3
A change in perceived sexual desire discrepancy
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
4
A change in actual sexual desire discrepancy
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
. Be willing to abstain from starting any new treatment for SDD for the duration of the study;
Exclusion criteria
. Cases where the discrepancy is attributable to at least one partner identifying as asexual (asexuality is not considered a sexual dysfunction; APA, 2013);
. Presence of untreated psychiatric conditions at the time of recruitment (e.g., depression) that would interfere with participating in the treatment and homework;
. Receive dyadic psychosexual treatment for SDD elsewhere during the study period.