Uppsala University, Center for Clinical Research, Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden; Uppsala University, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala, Sweden.
Karolinska Institute, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Solna, Sweden; Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sex Reprod Healthc. 2022 Sep;33:100756. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100756. Epub 2022 Jul 13.
The aim of this study was to describe women's experiences before, under, and after a guided internet-based intervention for vulvodynia.
The design was qualitative, based on content analysis. Participants were women who had undergone guided internet-based treatment for vulvodynia based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles (n = 13). Data were collected through in-depth interviews approximately-one month after participants completed treatment.
The analysis revealed the women's experiences of internet-based treatment for vulvodynia. Three themes emerged: "dealing with pain alone," which was related to experiences of living with vulvodynia before internet-based treatment; "finding new ways," which described the experiences of undergoing an internet-based treatment for vulvodynia and "feeling empowered to take control," referring to the experiences of living with vulvodynia after the internet-based treatment. The women described a long search for a diagnosis, revealing a negative experience of healthcare. The internet-based treatment helped them find new ways to manage vulvodynia, but difficulties with the treatment were also experienced. After the intervention, the women reported improvements in wellbeing and having better strategies to manage pain, but also stated that the treatment was insufficient to perceive changes in vulvar pain.
The guided internet-based treatment program for vulvodynia based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles was perceived as credible, helpful to manage vulvodynia, and could serve as a complement to regular care. Questions regarding the need for more support and optimal length of treatment need to be further evaluated.
本研究旨在描述女性在接受基于互联网的引导式干预治疗外阴痛前后的体验。
设计为定性研究，基于内容分析。参与者为接受基于接纳与承诺疗法原则的互联网引导式外阴痛治疗的女性（n=13）。大约在参与者完成治疗后一个月，通过深度访谈收集数据。
分析揭示了女性接受基于互联网的外阴痛治疗的体验。出现了三个主题：“独自应对疼痛”，与接受互联网治疗前的外阴痛体验有关；“寻找新方法”，描述了接受基于互联网的外阴痛治疗的体验；“感到有能力掌控”，指的是在互联网治疗后生活的体验。女性描述了长期寻求诊断的经历，这揭示了她们对医疗保健的负面体验。基于互联网的治疗帮助她们找到了管理外阴痛的新方法，但也经历了治疗的困难。干预后，女性报告幸福感提高，管理疼痛的策略更好，但也表示治疗不足以感知外阴疼痛的变化。
基于接纳与承诺疗法原则的引导式互联网外阴痛治疗方案被认为是可信的、有助于管理外阴痛，可以作为常规护理的补充。需要进一步评估更多支持和最佳治疗时长的必要性。
