Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nurse-Led Sexual Rehabilitation Intervention to Rebuild Sexuality and Intimacy After Treatment for Gynecological Cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a sexual rehabilitation program, SEXHAB, in improving sexual functioning, reducing sexual distress, and enhancing marital satisfaction for women after gynecological cancer treatment.

METHODS

This is a randomized controlled trial that included 150 women newly diagnosed with gynecological cancer from three public hospitals in Hong Kong. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 78) to receive the SEXHAB or to an attention control group (n = 72) to receive attention. The SEXHAB comprises four individual- or couple-based sessions with three major components: information provision, cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling using motivational interviewing skills. The outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), upon completion of the program (T1) and 12-month post-treatment (T2). Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the SEXHAB group participants to explore their experiences with and opinions toward the program.

RESULTS

At both follow-ups, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in improving sexual functioning, sexual distress and marital satisfaction. Nevertheless, participants in the SEXHAB group reported their partners having significantly greater sexual interest at T1 (76% vs. 52%, rate ratio: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.99, p = 0.024) and T2 (74% vs. 48%, rate ratio: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.10, p = 0.014). From the qualitative interviews, the interviewees who resumed sexual activity reported positive experiences in rebuilding sexuality and intimacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the quantitative results are negative, the qualitative findings suggest potential benefits of the SEXHAB for women resuming sexual activities after treatment for gynecological cancer. Further studies with longer intervention period and follow-ups are needed to confirm the intervention effects.