F P Lubotzky1, P Butow1, C Hunt2, D S J Costa3, R Laidsaar-Powell1, S Carroll4, S R Thompson5, M Jackson5, A Tewari6, K Nattress7, I Juraskova8. 1. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Medicine (CeMPED), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 3. Pain Management Research Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 4. Radiation Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia. 5. Radiation Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 6. Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Medicine (CeMPED), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 7. Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 8. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Medicine (CeMPED), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: ilona.juraskova@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
AIMS: Women treated with pelvic radiation therapy (PRT) for gynaecological or anorectal cancer report a high number of sexual problems and unmet post-treatment psychosexual information needs. Currently, there is suboptimal adherence to recommended rehabilitation aids, such as vaginal dilators, and a paucity of resources to facilitate post-radiation rehabilitation and reduce distress in this population. This randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a study-developed psychosexual rehabilitation booklet in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Eighty-two women scheduled for PRT to treatgynaecological/anorectal cancer were randomised to receive the intervention booklet (n = 44) or standard information materials (n = 38). Self-report questionnaires administered at pre-treatment baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-treatment assessed adherence with rehabilitation aids, booklet knowledge, anxiety, depression and sexual functioning/satisfaction. RESULTS:Dilator adherence and booklet knowledge were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (averaged over time points), with scores significantly increasing over time. Younger age and gynaecological cancer were significant predictors of greater dilator adherence. No significant group differences were found on psychological and sexual measures. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosexual rehabilitation booklet was effective in educating women with gynaecological and anorectal cancers about PRT-related psychosexual side-effects and rehabilitation options, as well as promoting uptake of vaginal dilator use. Future research should elucidate the effectiveness of this booklet in women with greater psychological and sexual functioning needs.
RCT Entities:
AIMS: Women treated with pelvic radiation therapy (PRT) for gynaecological or anorectal cancer report a high number of sexual problems and unmet post-treatment psychosexual information needs. Currently, there is suboptimal adherence to recommended rehabilitation aids, such as vaginal dilators, and a paucity of resources to facilitate post-radiation rehabilitation and reduce distress in this population. This randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a study-developed psychosexual rehabilitation booklet in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two women scheduled for PRT to treat gynaecological/anorectal cancer were randomised to receive the intervention booklet (n = 44) or standard information materials (n = 38). Self-report questionnaires administered at pre-treatment baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-treatment assessed adherence with rehabilitation aids, booklet knowledge, anxiety, depression and sexual functioning/satisfaction. RESULTS: Dilator adherence and booklet knowledge were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (averaged over time points), with scores significantly increasing over time. Younger age and gynaecological cancer were significant predictors of greater dilator adherence. No significant group differences were found on psychological and sexual measures. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosexual rehabilitation booklet was effective in educating women with gynaecological and anorectal cancers about PRT-related psychosexual side-effects and rehabilitation options, as well as promoting uptake of vaginal dilator use. Future research should elucidate the effectiveness of this booklet in women with greater psychological and sexual functioning needs.
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