Impact of a Mindful Touch Program on Marital Satisfaction and Sexual Responsiveness

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Mindful Touch Program in enhancing marital satisfaction and sexual responsiveness among married couples. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 married participants (15 in the intervention group and 15 in the control group) recruited from counseling centers in Taiwan. Participants in the intervention group received a 10-session Mindful Touch Program over five weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Both groups were assessed at three time points—pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up—using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS-27. All assumptions for statistical tests were verified and met. The results indicated significant interaction effects between time and group for both marital satisfaction (F(2,84) = 34.88, p < .001, η² = .557) and sexual responsiveness (F(2,84) = 45.36, p < .001, η² = .603), confirming that the intervention group experienced significant improvements over time compared to the control group. Post-hoc analyses showed that the intervention group had marked increases from pre-test to post-test (p < .001) and from pre-test to follow-up (p < .001) on both outcome measures. The control group showed no statistically significant change across any time points. The Mindful Touch Program was effective in significantly enhancing both marital satisfaction and sexual responsiveness among married individuals. These improvements were sustained over a five-month follow-up period, highlighting the potential of mindfulness-based physical intimacy interventions in strengthening emotional and sexual bonds in romantic relationships.