Evaluation of a behavioral treatment intervention for premature ejaculation using a handheld stimulating device

Premature ejaculation is usually considered to be the most common male sexual complaint. Psychosocial treatment interventions have been recommended by clinicians since the 1950s, but concerns have been raised regarding their efficacy, especially so since the introduction of pharmaceutical treatment interventions. However, as noted in reviews and meta-analyses, one reason for these concerns is the lack of methodologically robust studies that have attempted to evaluate the efficacy of psychosocial treatment interventions. The present study aimed to replicate a recent study showing promising results for a behavioral treatment intervention using a handheld, vibrating stimulation device in a variation of the classical stop-start technique first introduced by Semans in 1956. The present study enrolled 11 men and used a randomized wait list-controlled design. Results provide further support for the efficacy of this novel treatment intervention and suggest that effects are stable or improved further 6 months after completing treatment. The present study contributes to the growing number of studies that suggest that psychosocial treatment interventions are promising alternatives to pharmacological treatment.