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Psychosexuological Interventions to Support Sexual Function in Breast Cancer Patients

Recruiting
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Other: Control Group
Other: Psychosexological intervention
Registration Number
NCT06327607
Lead Sponsor
European Institute of Oncology
Brief Summary

Prospective pilot study on the feasibility and efficacy of a brief psychosexual support intervention in breast cancer patients undergoing hormonal therapies for at least 6 months.

The study is randomized in the two following arms:

Control arm (standard care pathway) Psychosexual intervention arm

Detailed Description

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosexual intervention on sexual functioning, mood (levels of depression and anxiety), sleep, and quality of life, compared to standard care pathway. Considering the high incidence of sexual dysfunction in breast cancer patients, this study will focus on this population of patients.

The psychosexual intervention aims to improve female sexual functionality and satisfaction by facilitating the understanding of disorders, enabling adequate assessment of possible interventions, and adopting specific treatment exercises.

Patients will be randomized in one of the following two arms:

Control arm (standard care pathway) Psychosexual intervention arm

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
82
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women with age >=18 years;
  • Breast cancer patients undergoing hormonal therapy for at least 6 months in accordance with clinical practice and scientific evidence;
  • Pre-menopausal patients (regular menstrual cycles in the last year) before the start of oncological treatments;
  • Presence of one or more criteria of sexual dysfunction as per DSM-5;
  • Acceptance and signature of the Informed Consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients in postmenopausal status;
  • Presence of psychiatric or neurological conditions that impair the ability to perform the exercises proposed by the research project;
  • Already undergoing psycho-sexual counseling;
  • Refusal to sign the informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control groupControl GroupStandard iter of treatment for breast cancer
Experimental groupPsychosexological interventionPsychosexuological intervention
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluation of differences between two arms in female sexual satisfaction and functionality scores10 weeks

Measurement of the differences between the two groups in female sexual satisfaction and functionality scores before and after participation in the psychosexual intervention group, we will use the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning-Woman (BISF-W). This is a self-administered questionnaire specifically designed to assess female sexual functionality and satisfaction.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluation of differences between two arms in levels of sleep quality10 weeks

Levels of sleep quality measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire.

Evaluation of differences between two arms in levels of anxiety and depression10 weeks

Levels of anxiety and depression measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Evaluation of differences between two arms in levels of quality of life10 weeks

To measure the differences between the two arms in levels of quality of life investigated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

European Institute of Oncology

🇮🇹

Milan, Italy

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