Educational intervention as an adjunct to treatment of erectile dysfunction in older couples

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a sex and aging workshop highlighting permission and limited information on the sexual knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and satisfaction of a group of older heterosexual couples experiencing erectile dysfunction. The workshop focused on disseminating information about the physiological and psychological changes that occur in the sexual response during the aging process. Twenty couples participated in this study: 10 attended a workshop and 10 served as controls. The study utilized a randomized control group pretest/posttest design. Workshop participants completed an evaluation form and were interviewed at the time of follow-up. Data analysis revealed that the workshop participants reported significant increases in knowledge levels and in sexual satisfaction. The workshop evaluations and follow-up interviews reinforced these quantitative results. This study lends support to educational intervention as an adjunct to treatment of erectile dysfunction in the elderly population.