Efficacy of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention for women with gynaecological cancers receiving radiotherapy: results of a randomised trial.
Br J Cancer
; 2024 Jul 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38961193
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The multicentre randomised SPARC trial evaluated the efficacy of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention on sexual functioning, distress, dilator use, and vaginal symptoms after radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers.METHODS:
Eligible women were randomised to the rehabilitation intervention or care-as-usual. Four intervention sessions were scheduled over 12 months, with concurrent validated questionnaires and clinical assessments. Primary outcome was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A generalised-mixed-effects model compared groups over time.RESULTS:
In total, 229 women were included (n = 112 intervention; n = 117 care-as-usual). No differences in FSFI total scores were found between groups at any timepoint (P = 0.37), with 12-month scores of 22.57 (intervention) versus 21.76 (care-as-usual). The intervention did not significantly improve dilator use, reduce sexual distress or vaginal symptoms compared to care-as-usual. At 12 months, both groups had minimal physician-reported vaginal stenosis; 70% of women were sexually active and reported no or mild vaginal symptoms. After radiotherapy and brachytherapy, 85% (intervention) versus 75% (care-as-usual) of participants reported dilation twice weekly.DISCUSSION:
Sexual rehabilitation for women treated with combined (chemo)radiotherapy and brachytherapy improved before and during the SPARC trial, which likely contributed to comparable study groups. Best practice involves a sexual rehabilitation appointment 1 month post-radiotherapy, including patient information, with dilator guidance, preferably by a trained nurse, and follow-up during the first year after treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03611517.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Br J Cancer
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Netherlands