Effectiveness trial of an online self-help intervention for sexual problems after cancer

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction affects over 60% of cancer survivors. Internet interventions have improved sexual function, but with considerable clinician guidance, restricting scalability. This pragmatic trial evaluated an online, self-help intervention. As with many unguided digital interventions, attrition was high. Given low numbers in other groups, this paper focuses on 30% of female patient participants who completed 3-month questionnaires and visited the intervention site (N = 60). Benefits included increased sexually active individuals at follow-up (p < 0.001, Effect size = 0.54), improved sexual function (p < 0.001, Effect size = -0.76, N = 41), and increased use of sexual aids (p = 0.01, Effect size=-0.14, N = 58). The intervention has been revised to improve patient engagement.

Keywords:

• Oncology
• cancer
• internet
• intervention study
• sexual dysfunctions

Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by the American Cancer Society (Collaboration Agreement #41659). The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent The American Cancer Society or The American Cancer Society – Cancer Action Network. Authors thank Kevin Weinfurt, PhD for suggestions on creating a summary T-score for the BSP.

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

Disclosure statement

The first author is the owner of Will2Love, LLC, a for-profit digital health company that supplied the intervention tested in the study. No conflicts of interest were declared by other authors.