Online-based interventions for sexual health among individuals with cancer: a systematic review

Kang, Hee Sun; Kim, Hyun-Kyung; Park, Seong Man; Kim, Jung-Hee

doi:10.1186/s12913-018-2972-6

Cited by 41 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(100 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Hence, our findings must be viewed with caution. This level of attrition is consistent with a recent review of online support programs by Kang et al, 38 who reported up to 42% attrition in 4 sexual health support programs and up to 52% attrition in general lifestyle online programs. Online intervention requires self‐motivation and independence from the encouragement of a clinician.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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

Wittmann

Mehta

Bober

et al. 2022

Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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

Wittmann

Mehta

Bober

et al. 2022

Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although use reduced over the intervention period, approximately 65% (58/89) of the participants still showed engagement with the program in the final month. Previous evidence has demonstrated levels of engagement with web-based interventions that are comparable with face-to-face delivery methods [ 49 ], and it has been suggested that web-based resources are viewed as an acceptable and widely used source of information on sexual concerns [ 50 ]. Various needs of web-based interventions have been identified, including improving couple communication and providing information on sexual side effects, rehabilitation approaches, and realistic expectations of recovery [ 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy, Use, and Acceptability of a Web-Based Self-management Intervention Designed to Maximize Sexual Well-being in Men Living With Prostate Cancer: Single-Arm Experimental Study

O’Connor¹,

Flannagan²,

Parahoo³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect associated with different prostate cancer treatment approaches. It can have a substantial impact on men and their partners and is associated with increased psychological morbidity. Despite this, sexual concerns are often not adequately addressed in routine practice. Evidence-based web-based interventions have the potential to provide ongoing information and sexual well-being support throughout all stages of care. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of a web-based self-management intervention designed to maximize sexual well-being in men living with prostate cancer and explore user perspectives on usability and acceptability. Methods We used a single-arm study design, and participants were provided with access to the 5-step intervention for a period of 3 months. The intervention content was tailored based on responses to brief screening questions on treatment type, relationship status, and sexual orientation. Efficacy was assessed by using two-tailed, paired sample t tests for comparing the mean differences between pre- and postintervention measurements for exploring the participants’ self-reported knowledge and understanding, sexual satisfaction, and comfort in discussing sexual issues. Usability and acceptability were determined based on the program use data and a postintervention survey for exploring perceived usefulness. Results A total of 109 participants were recruited for this study. Significant postintervention improvements at follow-up were observed in the total scores (out of 20) from the survey (mean 12.23/20 points, SD 2.46 vs mean 13.62/20, SD 2.31; t88=9.570; P=.001) as well as in individual item scores on the extent to which the participants agreed that they had sufficient information to manage the impact that prostate cancer had on their sex life (mean 2.31/4 points, SD 0.86 vs mean 2.57/4, SD 0.85; t88=3.660; P=.001) and had the potential to have a satisfying sex life following treatment (mean 2.38/4 points, SD 0.79 vs mean 3.17/4, SD 0.78; t88=7.643; P=.001). The median number of intervention sessions was 3 (range 1-11), and intervention sessions had a median duration of 22 minutes (range 8-77). Acceptable usability scores were reported, with the highest result observed for the question on the extent to which the intervention provided relevant information. Conclusions This study provides evidence on the efficacy of a tailored web-based intervention for maximizing sexual well-being in men living with prostate cancer. The results indicate that the intervention may improve one’s self-perceived knowledge and understanding of how to manage sexual issues and increase self-efficacy or the belief that a satisfactory sex life could be achieved following treatment. The findings will be used to refine the intervention content before testing as part of a larger longitudinal study for examining its effectiveness.

show abstract

“…CBT, which is a nondrug therapy psychological intervention, can improve patients' confidence in the treatment of diseases by correcting patients' cognitive bias, enhancing patients' beliefs and changing attitudes towards their own problems from irrational knowledge to rational knowledge. 43 In addition, CBT effectively improves the quality of life in patients with cancer, with anxiety, depression, 44 fatigue, 45 insomnia, 30 46 hot flashes, 47 sexual dysfunction, 48 and so on. In an RCT of blended cognitive behavioural therapy (bCBT) to reduce the severity of FCR in cancer survivors, FCR scores were significantly lower in the bCBT group than in the care as usual group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy on quality of life in patients with prostate cancer after androgen deprivation therapy: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionProstate cancer (PCa), as a malignant tumour with rapid development in recent years, significantly affects men’s health, work, life and economy. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plays an important role in the treatment of PCa and can be used as a complementary therapy in the late stage of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Though ADT targeting PCa shows an effective therapeutic effect, the underlying side effects (cognitive disorder, hot flashes, a decrease in sexuality) cannot be ignored. At present, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been widely used for patients with PCa after ADT due to its confirmed efficacy, fewer side effects and lower economic burden. However, the effectiveness of CBT for patients with PCa after ADT is still controversial. Therefore, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of CBT for patients with PCa after ADT.Methods and analysisLiteratures will be searched from establishment of the database to 31 May 2021 with the language restrictions of English and Chinese in eight online databases (PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, VIP, CNKI, CBM, and WAN FANG). This study will include RCTs that performed CBT as the main method of the experimental group for patients with PCa after ADT. Two or more reviewers will independently conduct the selection of studies, data extraction and data analysis. The risk ratios with 95% CIs will be used to present the data synthesis result of dichotomous data, while weighted mean differences or standardised mean differences with 95% CIs will be used to present the data synthesis result of continuous data. Meanwhile, evidence quality of outcome will be assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method. Stata V.13.0 and Review Manager software V.5.3 will be used for analysis and synthesis.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol is a second study based on a completed randomised controlled study. Thus, ethical approval is not required, and no additional data are available.OSF registration numberDOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/FUVEA

show abstract

Online-based interventions for sexual health among individuals with cancer: a systematic review

Cited by 41 publications

References 51 publications

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

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

Efficacy, Use, and Acceptability of a Web-Based Self-management Intervention Designed to Maximize Sexual Well-being in Men Living With Prostate Cancer: Single-Arm Experimental Study

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy on quality of life in patients with prostate cancer after androgen deprivation therapy: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About