A psychoeducational intervention for sexual dysfunction in women with gynecologic cancer. 2008

Lori A Brotto, and Julia R Heiman, and Barbara Goff, and Benjamin Greer, and Gretchen M Lentz, and Elizabeth Swisher, and Hisham Tamimi, and Amy Van Blaricom
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1M9, lori.brotto@vch.ca

Treatment of early-stage cervical and endometrial cancer has been associated with significant sexual difficulties in at least half of women following hysterectomy. Despite the fact that women report such sexual side effects to be the most distressing aspect of their cancer treatment, evidence-based treatments for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD), the most common sexual symptom in this group, do not exist. We developed and pilot tested a brief, three session psychoeducational intervention (PED) targeting FSAD in 22 women with early-stage gynecologic cancer. The PED consisted of three, 1-h sessions that combined elements of cognitive and behavioral therapy with education and mindfulness training. Women completed questionnaires and had a physiological measurement of genital arousal at pre- and post-PED (sessions 1 and 4) and participated in a semi-structured interview (session 4) during which their feedback on the PED was elicited. There was a significant positive effect of the PED on sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual distress, depression, and overall well-being, and a trend towards significantly improved physiological genital arousal and perceived genital arousal. Qualitative feedback indicated that the PED materials were very user-friendly, clear, and helpful. In particular, women reported the mindfulness component to be most helpful. These findings suggest that a brief 3-session PED can significantly improve aspects of sexual response, mood, and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients, and has implications for establishing the components of a psychological treatment program for FSAD.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007722 Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Knowledge, attitudes, and associated behaviors which pertain to health-related topics such as PATHOLOGIC PROCESSES or diseases, their prevention, and treatment. This term refers to non-health workers and health workers (HEALTH PERSONNEL). Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
D007989 Libido The psychic drive or energy associated with sexual instinct in the broad sense (pleasure and love-object seeking). It may also connote the psychic energy associated with instincts in general that motivate behavior. Decreased Libido,Increased Libido,Libido, Decreased,Libido, Increased
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D011788 Quality of Life A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease. HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D002583 Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the UTERINE CERVIX. Cancer of Cervix,Cancer of the Cervix,Cancer of the Uterine Cervix,Cervical Cancer,Cervical Neoplasms,Cervix Cancer,Cervix Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Cervical,Neoplasms, Cervix,Uterine Cervical Cancer,Cancer, Cervical,Cancer, Cervix,Cancer, Uterine Cervical,Cervical Cancer, Uterine,Cervical Cancers,Cervical Neoplasm,Cervical Neoplasm, Uterine,Cervix Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Cervix,Neoplasm, Uterine Cervical,Uterine Cervical Cancers,Uterine Cervical Neoplasm
D003863 Depression Depressive states usually of moderate intensity in contrast with MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER present in neurotic and psychotic disorders. Depressive Symptoms,Emotional Depression,Depression, Emotional,Depressive Symptom,Symptom, Depressive
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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