Effectiveness Controlled Study of an Online Group Treatment Program for Cybersex Addiction /Online Sexual Compulsivity

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to study the effectiveness of an online group therapy to treat people with cybersex addiction or online sexual compulsivity. It will compare group therapy to individual therapy. It uses cognitive behavioral therapy, a therapy that aims to change thoughts and behaviors. In this case, the therapy will train participants in coping strategies that allow them to control their sexual impulses. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is online group therapy effective to treat cybersex addiction/online sexual compulsivity? How does group therapy compare to individual therapy?

Researchers will compare the results of participants in group therapy to those in individual therapy and those who receive no treatment.

Participants will:

Attend evaluation sessions Attend therapy sessions once per week for 12 weeks Keep a weekly diary of their sexual behavior Complete follow-up surveys 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after treatment

Conditions

• Sexual Compulsive Behavior Disorder
• Cybersex Addiction
• Online Compulsive Sexual Behavior

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Online Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

12-session group online CBT treatment for online sexual compulsivity/cybersex addiction. Cognitive-behavioral psychological treatment program applied online and in a group format. The program consists of twelve sessions of approximately 2,5 hour's duration and weekly frequency 1. Psychoeducational module and motivational interviewing. 2. Environmental planning, stimulus control 3. Beginning of training in emotional self-regulation techniques. 4. Cognitive errors and cognitive discussion. 5. Self-talk, thought traps, responsibility vs. guilt and "backpack" of coping resources. 6. Self-esteem, stigma and life goals 7. "Backpack" of coping resources, mindfulness and slow breathing training for anxiety 8. Stress coping techniques 9. Lifestyle 10. and 11. Reduction of stimulus control and addressing previously unaddressed relevant issues. 12. Relapse prevention

BEHAVIORAL

Online Individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

12-session individual and online CBT treatment for online sexual compulsivity/cybersex addiction. Cognitive-behavioral psychological treatment program applied online and individually. The program consists of twelve sessions of approximately one hour's duration and weekly frequency 1. Psychoeducational module and motivational interviewing. 2. Environmental planning, stimulus control 3. Beginning of training in emotional self-regulation techniques. 4. Cognitive errors and cognitive discussion. 5. Self-talk, thought traps, responsibility vs. guilt and "backpack" of coping resources. 6. Self-esteem, stigma and life goals 7. "Backpack" of coping resources, mindfulness and slow breathing training for anxiety 8. Stress coping techniques 9. Lifestyle 10. and 11. Reduction of stimulus control and addressing previously unaddressed relevant issues. 12. Relapse prevention

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Universitat Jaume I

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rafael Ballester-Arnal, PhD · University Jaume I

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-12-31

Completion

2025-12-31

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations