The effectiveness of intervention with cognitive behavioral therapy on pornography: A systematic review protocol of randomized clinical trial studies

BACKGROUND: The increasing rate of problematic pornography use (PPU) among the general population has risen. There are limited data on the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on online pornographic addiction; therefore, this study aimed at investigating the issue. METHODS: SCOPUS, PubMed, PubPsych, WOS (Web of Science), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database (SID) & Iranmedex, and other databases (for gray literature) (eg, conference papers, key journals) will be systematically reviewed. Preliminary search strategies were started on March 2, 2019, and will be updated in April 2021. Eligibility criteria were having PPU, with designs of interest including randomized trials with three or more months of follow‐up with CBT intervention. Two authors will independently conduct data extraction and quality assessment. A modified Verhagen checklist for clinical trial studies will be used for quality assessment. Pooled measures of association will be computed using random‐effects model meta‐analyses. Between‐study heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2 statistic and the Cochrane χ2 statistic. Minor study effects will be evaluated for meta‐analyses with sufficient studies using funnel plots and Egger's test. If a meta‐analysis is appropriate, quantitative data will be pooled using the comprehensive meta‐analysis software. DISCUSSION: The evidence obtained in this meta‐analysis will help to determine whether CBT can decrease PPU severity, anxiety, depression, and compulsive sexual behavior. In addition, due to the comprehensive view on CBT effects on PPU patients, which was not clarified before, we can expect that the results of this study will benefit psychiatrists.