A sexual rehabilitation intervention for women with gynaecological cancer receiving radiotherapy (SPARC study): design of a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Author(s):
Suvaal, I.; Hummel, S.B.; Mens, J.W.M.; Doorn, H.C. van; Hout, W.B. van den; Creutzberg, C.L. (0000-0002-7008-4321); Kuile, M.M. ter
Published
2021
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Sexual problems are frequently reported after treatment with radiotherapy (RT) for gynaecological cancer (GC), in particular after combined external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy (EBRT+BT). Studies demonstrate that psychosexual support should include cognitive behavioural interventions and involvement of the patient’s partner, if available. Therefore, we developed a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention, including these key components. The intervention was previously pilot-tested and results demonstrated that this intervention improves women’s sexual functioning and increases dilator compliance. The objective of the current study is to investigate the (cost-)effectiveness of the intervention compared to optimal care as usual (CAU). We expect that women who receive the intervention will report a statistically significant greater improvement in sexual functioning and – for women who receive EBRT+BT – higher compliance with dilator use, from baseline to 12 months post-RT than women who receive optimal care as usual (CAU).

Health-related quality of lifeSexual functioningRehabilitation interventionGynaecological cancer
Date issued
2021-12-04
Language
English
Publisher
BioMed Central
Is part of
BMC Cancer (2021), No. 1
hdl
1887/4253951
doi
10.1186/s12885-021-08991-2
URL
https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-021-08991-2