BibliothEP: a study evaluating the effectiveness of bibliotherapy for premature ejaculation

Objective. The BibliothEP study aimed to assess the efficacy of a bibliotherapy for premature ejaculation (PE)
Design and method. The study was conducted in two phases. First, a sample of 120 participants suffering from PE read a concise cognitive behavioural self-help manual for PE (51 A5 pages including illustrations) and were compared after treatment to 66 waiting list controls. Second, 36 subjects received and read the self-help manual and were compared after treatment to 32 subjects having received the same manual plus a complementary brief guidance (45-90 minutes) from a coach not specialised in sex therapy, but who had been specifically trained to support the bibliotherapy intervention (by attending a 5-hour training module). The main outcome measures were self-determined latency time to ejaculation, feelings of control, sexual satisfaction, PE-related distress and subjective impression of improvement.
Results. At 6-month posttreatment, all participants showed significant improvements as compared to waiting list condition. The improvements were maintained at 12 month. They were slightly greater in the case of complementary therapist support. Improvements were demonstrated for all forms of PE, but the intervention appeared to be slightly more effective when the problem was of moderate severity. In all cases, improvements in sexual functioning were accompanied by improvements in sexual cognitions.
Conclusions. The cost-effectiveness of the self-help manual makes it a valuable first-line treatment for any form of PE. Moreover, the outcome of the bibliotherapy process might be increased by coaching from a health worker specifically trained to this aim.