An online psychological intervention can improve the sexual satisfaction of men following treatment for localized prostate cancer: outcomes of a randomised controlled trial evaluating my road ahead
Open accessAbstract
Background Prostate cancer treatment often results in significant psycho-sexual challenges for men following treatment; however, many men report difficulty in accessing appropriate care. Methods A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a 10-week self-guided online psychological intervention called My Road Ahead (MRA) for men with localized prostate cancer in improving sexual satisfaction. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions MRA alone or MRA plus online forum, or forum access alone. Pre, post, and follow-up assessments of overall sexual satisfaction were conducted. Mixed models and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results One hundred forty-two men (mean age 61 y; SD = 7) participated. The majority of participants had undergone radical prostatectomy (88%) and all men had received treatment for localized prostate cancer. Significant differences were obtained for the 3 groups (P = .026) and a significant improvement in total sexual satisfaction was observed only for participants who were allocated to MRA + forum with a large effect size (P = .004, partial η2 = 0.256). Structural equation modeling indicated that increases in sexual function, masculine self-esteem, and sexual confidence contributed significantly to overall sexual satisfaction for the MRA + forum plus forum condition. Conclusions This study is the first, to our knowledge, that has evaluated a self-guided online psychological intervention tailored to the specific needs of men with prostate cancer. The findings indicate the potential for MRA to deliver support that men may not otherwise receive and also highlight the importance of psychological intervention to facilitate improved sexual outcomes.
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The results of previous web-based interventions indicate some positive effects on sexual pleasure with less discomfort during sex, reduced erectile dysfunction, increased vaginal lubrication, and decreased vaginal discomfort.
“The results indicate some positive effects on sexual pleasure with less discomfort during sex (Hummel et al., 2017), reduced erectile dysfunction (Schover et al., 2012, Wootten et al., 2017), increased vaginal lubrication and decreased vaginal discomfort (Hummel et al., 2017, Schover et al., 2020).”
From Efficacy of a web-based psychoeducational intervention, Fex-can sex, for young adult childhood cancer survivors with sexual dysfunction: A randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as Wootten et al., 2017
No effects were observed on orgasmic function or interest in sexual activity in previous web-based interventions.
“no effects were observed on orgasmic function (Schover et al., 2020; Wootten et al., 2017; Hummel et al., 2017) or interest in sexual activity (Schover et al., 2020).”
From Efficacy of a web-based psychoeducational intervention, Fex-can sex, for young adult childhood cancer survivors with sexual dysfunction: A randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as Wootten et al., 2017
Only a few web-based interventions have addressed sexual dysfunction following cancer, and these have been directed to middle-aged women with breast or gynaecological cancer and men with prostate cancer.
“Until now, only a few web-based interventions have addressed sexual dysfunction following cancer, and these have been directed to middle-aged (mean age > 50 years) women with breast or gynaecological cancer (Hummel et al., 2017; Schover et al., 2020) and men with prostate cancer (Wootten et al., 2017; Schover et al., 2012).”
From Efficacy of a web-based psychoeducational intervention, Fex-can sex, for young adult childhood cancer survivors with sexual dysfunction: A randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as Wootten et al., 2017
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“On the other hand, no effects were observed on orgasmic function (Schover et al., 2020; Wootten et al., 2017; Hummel et al., 2017) or interest in sexual activity (Schover et al., 2020).”
BackgroundInfluential
- Authors
- Wootten, A. C., Meyer, D., Abbott, J.-A. M., Chisholm, K., Austin, D. W., Klein, B., McCabe, M., Murphy, D. G., & Costello, A. J.
- Affiliations
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
- Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
- Deakin University (AU)
- Federation University (AU)
- Australian Catholic University (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Wootten, Addie C.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Psycho-Oncology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-09-26
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 975-981
- ISSN
- 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2527526216
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 3.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Licence
- Locations
- Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- FedUni ResearchOnline (Federation University Australia) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
- Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Movember Foundation
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- prostate cancer, sexual satisfaction, online psychological intervention, radical prostatectomy, psychosexual outcomes, sexual confidence, sexual function, self-guided intervention, online forums, men's health
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Prostatectomy, Prostatic Neoplasms, Psychotherapy, Sexual Behavior, Treatment Outcome, Internet
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