A psychoeducational intervention to improve sexual functioning in male rectal and anal cancer patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial study Journal Article
| Authors: | Nelson, C. J.; Schuler, T. A.; Reiner, A. S.; Baser, R. E.; Demirjian, C. C.; Mulhall, J.; Temple, L.; Schover, L.; Jandorf, L.; Duhamel, K. N. |
| Article Title: | A psychoeducational intervention to improve sexual functioning in male rectal and anal cancer patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial study |
| Abstract: | Objectives. Male rectal and anal cancer patients demonstrate high rates of sexual dysfunction. This pilot randomized controlled trial tested a psychoeducational intervention designed to improve psychosexual adjustment. Methods. Rectal or anal cancer patients were randomized to a Sexual Health Intervention for Men (intervention) or to a referral and information control (control). The intervention included control activities plus 4 sexual health intervention sessions every 4-6 weeks and 3 brief telephone calls timed between these sessions. Assessments were completed pre-intervention (baseline) and 3 months (follow-up 1) and 8 months (follow-up 2) post-intervention. Differences were assessed with statistical significance and Cohen's d effect sizes (d = 0.2, small effect; d = 0.5, moderate effect; d = 0.8, large effect). Results. Ninety subjects enrolled. Forty-three participants completed at least 1 follow-up assessment (intervention, n = 14; control n = 29). At follow-up 1, men in intervention, compared to control, improved on all domains of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) (p < 0.001 to p < 0.05) and demonstrated large effects (d = 0.8 to d = 1.5). Similarly, at follow-up 2, changes in all domains of the IIEF except the orgasm domain were either statistically significant or marginally statistically significant (p = 0.01 to p = 0.08) and demonstrated moderate to large treatment effects for intervention versus control (d = 0.5 to d = 0.8). Men in the intervention, compared to control, demonstrated decreased sexual bother at follow-up 1 (p = 0.009, d = 1.1), while Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) total scores and the SEAR sexual relationship subscale demonstrated moderate increases for intervention versus control (d = 0.4 to d = 0.6). Significance of results. This study provides initial evidence for combining a psychoeducational intervention with medical interventions to address sexual dysfunction following rectal and anal cancer. |
| Keywords: | sexual dysfunction; prostatectomy; rehabilitation; rectal cancer; dysfunction; anal cancer; scale; erectile; male; physical intimacy; couples intervention; mens experience |
| Journal Title: | Palliative and Supportive Care |
| Volume: | 22 |
| Issue: | 6 |
| ISSN: | 1478-9515 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Date Published: | 2024-12-01 |
| Start Page: | 1557 |
| End Page: | 1565 |
| Language: | English |
| ACCESSION: | WOS:001174128100001 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/s1478951523001906 |
| PROVIDER: | wos |
| PMCID: | PMC11849133 |
| PUBMED: | 38389458 |
| Notes: | The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PubMed record and PDF. Corresponding MSK author Christian J. Nelson -- Source: Wos |
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