(144) The Use of Virtual Reality Systematic Desensitization for the Treatment of Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual dysfunction that affects the sexual health of millions of men around the world. In recent years, the evidence indicates an increase in cases of ED among individuals under 40 years old. In most cases, the etiology is of psychogenic origin. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven effective and remains one of the most widely used treatments for ED in these cases although controlled studies are lacking. One of the most effective CBT techniques is a set of activities performed by a couple, known as systematic desensitization (SD). SD involves gradually exposing the patient to feared intimacy-related activities with their partner. However, many patients do not have a stable partner or do not want their partner to participate in the treatment. Technological advances are helping to create virtual SD programs which are able to reproduce the sights, sounds, and other sensations of the feared situation. Objective: Our goal is to dete