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Cited by 64Sexual function and dysfunction studiesCancer survivorship and careDigital Mental Health Interventions

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for sexual dysfunctions in women treated for breast cancer: design of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Open access
Hummel, Susanna B, van Lankveld, Jacques JDM, Oldenburg, Hester SA, Hahn, Daniela EE, Broomans, Eva, Aaronson, Neil K·2015·BMC Cancer
DOI 10.1186/s12885-015-1320-zPMC PMC4423483
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent, long-term complication of breast cancer and its treatment and can be treated effectively with face-to-face sexual counselling. However, relatively few women actually opt for face-to-face sex therapy, with many women indicating that it is too confronting. Internet-based interventions might be a less threatening and more acceptable approach, because of the convenience, accessibility and privacy it provides. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of internet-based programs for improving sexual functioning in the general population. The objective of the current study is to investigate the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program in alleviating problems with sexuality and intimacy in women who have been treated for breast cancer. METHODS/DESIGN: In a multicenter, randomized controlled trial we are evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based CBT program in reducing problems with sexuality and intimacy in breast cancer survivors. Secondary outcomes include body image, marital functioning, psychological distress, menopausal symptoms, and health-related quality of life. We will recruit 160 breast cancer survivors (aged 18-65 years) with a formal DSM-IV diagnosis of sexual dysfunction from general and academic hospitals in the Netherlands. Women are randomized to either an intervention or waiting-list control group. Self-report questionnaires are completed by the intervention group at baseline (T0), ten weeks after start of therapy (T1), post-treatment (T2), 3 months post-treatment (T3), and 9 months post-treatment (T4). The control group completes questionnaires at T0, T1 and T2. DISCUSSION: There is a need for accessible and effective interventions for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in breast cancer survivors. This study will provide evidence about the efficacy of an internet-based approach to delivering a CBT intervention targeted specifically at these sexual health issues. If proven to be effective, internet-based CBT for problems with sexuality and intimacy will be a welcome addition to the care offered to breast cancer survivors. Hopefully this therapy will lower the barrier to seeking help for these problems, resulting in improved quality of life after breast cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02091765).

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  • Randomized clinical studies have demonstrated that digital health may play an important role in facilitating patient empowerment in survivors of BC.

    “Randomized clinical studies have demonstrated that digital health may play an important role in facilitating patient empowerment and improving symptom management in survivors of BC.49-54”

    From Implementing a PROACTive Care Pathway to Empower and Support Survivors of Breast Cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [49]

  • Randomized clinical studies have demonstrated that digital health may play an important role in improving symptom management in survivors of BC.

    “Randomized clinical studies have demonstrated that digital health may play an important role in facilitating patient empowerment and improving symptom management in survivors of BC.49-54”

    From Implementing a PROACTive Care Pathway to Empower and Support Survivors of Breast Cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors
Hummel, S. B., van Lankveld, J. J., Oldenburg, H. S., Hahn, D. E., Broomans, E., & Aaronson, N. K.
Affiliations
  • The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NL)
  • Virenze (NL)
Corresponding author
Aaronson, Neil K
ORCID
Venue
BMC Cancer
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2015-04-28
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
321-321
ISSN
1471-2407 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12885-015-1320-z
PMC
PMC4423483
OpenAlex
W2069631673
Cited by
64
References
111
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8
FWCI
5.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Cancer (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • DSpace (Open University in the Netherlands) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DSpace (Open University in the Netherlands) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Pink Ribbon Foundation
  • KWF Kankerbestrijding (2012-5388, NKI 2012-5388)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords
internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, sexual dysfunction, breast cancer survivors, sexual health, body image, marital functioning, psychological distress, menopausal symptoms, health-related quality of life, help-seeking barriers
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Netherlands, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Internet

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