Exploring the role of the partner in couples’ sexual recovery after surgery for prostate cancer

Wittmann, Daniela; Carolan, Marsha; Given, Barbara; Skolarus, Ted A.; An, Lawrence C.; Palapattu, Ganesh S.; Montie, James E.

doi:10.1007/s00520-014-2244-x

Cited by 74 publications

(115 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Struggling with urinary incontinence |fflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflffl{zfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflffl} Struggling with Sexual dysfunction (Wittmann et al, 2014) Sexual adaptation Accepting each other's feelings (Beck et al, 2013) ? Incorporating sexual changes into a new; expanded sense of self |fflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflffl ffl{zfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflffl ffl} Sexual acceptance Renegotiating the practices of sexual intimacy (Beck et al, 2013) ?…”

Section: Identity Struggle |Fflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflffl Ffl{zffunclassified

“…First, there are articles following a grief theory to describe the adjustment process (Beck et al, 2013;Fergus et al, 2002;Hanly et al, 2014;Hartman et al, 2014;Juraskova et al, 2003;Navon & Morag, 2003;Walker & Robinson, 2011, 2012Wilmoth, 2001;Wittmann et al, 2014). In this case, sexual changes are depictedin terms of a loss,andthe adjustment occurs throughthe pathwayofgriefandmourning.Differentstagesofsexualadjust- …”

Section: The Pathway Of Grief and Mourningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Third, there are articles following the pathway of sexual rehabilitation (Hanly et al, 2014;Hartman et al, 2014;Juraskova et al, 2003;Ramirez et al, 2010;Walker & Robinson, 2011;Wittmann et al, 2014). This pathway is embedded in a more positivistic approach where the adaptation process does not emphasize psychological changes or cognitive restructuring, but emphasizes sexual changes as a bodily dysfunction that needs treatment and specific behavioral strategies.…”

Section: The Pathway Of Sexual Rehabilitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also address the minimization of the importance of sexuality compared to surviving cancer (Hartman et al, 2014;Navon & Morag, 2003;Walker & Robinson, 2011). Some report on unrealistic expectations of adjustment within couples who are expecting full sexual recovery (Wittmann et al, 2014). …”

Section: Concept Of the Initial Stages Of The Adaptation Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Sexual Adjustment Process of Cancer Patients and Their Partners: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

et al. 2016

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Whenconfrontedwithcancer,aprominentchallenge for patients and their partners is their changed sexual relationship. An empirically based theoretical model of the sexual adaptation process during cancer might be helpful in guiding the development of adequate interventions for couples who struggle with their sexual relationship. Therefore, the purpose ofthisstudywastosynthesizeevidencefromprimaryqualitative research studies and to arrive at a detailed description of the process of sexual adjustment during cancer. We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis of a purposeful sample of 16 qualitative papers, using the meta-ethnography approach to synthesis. We found that the subsequent studies used different theoreticalapproachestodescribethesexualadaptationprocess. This led to three divergent sexual adaptation processes: (1) the pathway of grief and mourning, depicting sexual changes as a loss; (2) the pathway of restructuring, depicting the adjustment process toward sexual changes as a cognitive process with a strong focus on the social and cultural forces that shape the values and experiences of sexuality; and (3) the pathway of sexual rehabilitation, depicting sexual changes as a bodily dysfunction thatneeds treatment and specific behavioral strategies. All three pathways have their own opportunities and challenges. A greater awareness of these different pathways could help healthcare providers to better understand the ways a particular couple might cope with changed sexuality, offering them opportunities to discover alternative pathways for sexual adjustment.

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Section: Identity Struggle |Fflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflfflffl Ffl{zffunclassified

Section: The Pathway Of Grief and Mourningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Pathway Of Sexual Rehabilitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Concept Of the Initial Stages Of The Adaptation Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Sexual Adjustment Process of Cancer Patients and Their Partners: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

et al. 2016

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“…This variability may be related to the enrolment of individuals in different disease stages, undergoing different treatments, or having different psychological and social characteristics, both for the patient and for the caregiver. In fact, it is known that different aspects of the disease or of the treatment may imply different caregiving burdens [41] as well as different psychological or relational issues [90][91][92][93][94].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telemedicine Use Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Systematic Review (Preprint)

Marzorati¹,

Renzi²,

Russell-Edu³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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TrueNTH Sexual Recovery Intervention for couples coping with prostate cancer: Randomized controlled trial results

Wittmann

Mehta

Bober

et al. 2022

Cancer

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BACKGROUND Despite significant sexual dysfunction and distress after localized prostate cancer treatment, patients typically receive only physiologic erectile dysfunction management. The authors performed a randomized controlled trial of an online intervention supporting couples' posttreatment recovery of sexual intimacy. METHODS Patients treated with surgery, radiation, or combined radiation and androgen deprivation therapy who had partners were recruited and randomized to an online intervention or a control group. The intervention, tailored to treatment type and sexual orientation, comprised 6 modules addressing expectations for sexual and emotional sequelae of treatment, rehabilitation, and guidance toward sexual intimacy recovery. Couples, recruited from 6 sites nationally, completed validated measures at the baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Primary outcome group differences were assessed with t tests for individual outcomes. RESULTS Among 142 randomized couples, 105 patients (mostly surgery) and 87 partners completed the 6‐month survey; this reflected challenges with recruitment and attrition. There were no differences between the intervention and control arms in Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Satisfaction With Sex Life scores 6 months after treatment (the primary outcome). Three months after treatment, intervention patients and partners reported more engagement in penetrative and nonpenetrative sexual activities than controls. More than 73% of the intervention participants reported high or moderate satisfaction with module content; more than 85% would recommend the intervention to other couples. CONCLUSIONS Online psychosexual support for couples can help couples to connect and experience sexual pleasure early after treatment despite patients' sexual dysfunction. Participants' high endorsement of the intervention reflects the importance of sexual health support to couples after prostate cancer treatment. LAY SUMMARY This study tested a web‐based program supporting couples' sexual recovery of sexual intimacy after prostate cancer treatment. One hundred forty‐two couples were recruited and randomly assigned to the program (n = 60) or to a control group (n = 82). The program did not result in improvements in participants' satisfaction with their sex life 6 months after treatment, but couples in the intervention group engaged in sexual activity sooner after treatment than couples in the control group. Couples evaluated the program positively and would recommend it to others facing prostate cancer treatment.

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Exploring the role of the partner in couples’ sexual recovery after surgery for prostate cancer

Abstract: Partners' sexual and support needs during couples' sexual recovery after prostatectomy should be acknowledged and addressed as a legitimate aspect of research and care for men recovering from prostatectomy.

Cited by 74 publications

References 29 publications

The Sexual Adjustment Process of Cancer Patients and Their Partners: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

The Sexual Adjustment Process of Cancer Patients and Their Partners: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

Telemedicine Use Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Systematic Review (Preprint)

TrueNTH Sexual Recovery Intervention for couples coping with prostate cancer: Randomized controlled trial results

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