Pre-Rehabilitation for Female Patients Undergoing Pelvic Radiotherapy

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Radiation Toxicity; Sexual Dysfunction; Dyspareunia; Pelvic Pain
• Interventions: Behavioral: Pelvic health therapy; Device: Dilator feasability

• Registration Number: NCT06059586
• Lead Sponsor: Indiana University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of adding pre-rehabilitation pelvic health physical therapy to standard of care radiation therapy treatment plan for female patients who have been diagnosed with cervical, vaginal, vulvar, uterine, or anal cancer and are a candidate for curative pelvic radiation with external beam. Participants will receive education on using a vaginal dilator for use during treatment and complete questionnaires looking at pain and sexual function.

Detailed Description

Because of the increasing survivorship rate, there is a need for research addressing the post-treatment side effects of pelvic pain and dyspareunia, due to the significant impact these side effects have on patients' quality of life. Current best practice from trained pelvic health physical therapists for addressing dyspareunia and pelvic pain due to vaginal stenosis after radiation therapy, is vaginal dilation. Vaginal dilators are cone shaped durable medical equipment that are inserted into the vagina with lubricant, to assist in patency of the vaginal canal and stretching of the pelvic floor muscles.

The primary objective of this pilot clinical trial is to assess the feasibility of implementing a collaborative, coordinated, and multidisciplinary initiative between radiation oncology and pelvic health physical therapy to answer the following questions: 1) What are the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a pre-rehabilitation service for gynecological and female anal cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiation and 2) What is the potential clinical value of adding pre-rehabilitative pelvic health services, with an emphasis on vaginal dilator education and use, to the gynecological and female anal cancer radiation setting, in collaboration with radiation oncology staff, as a means of reducing pelvic pain and dyspareunia?

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-09-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-09-22
• Study First Posted: 2023-09-28
• Study Start: 2024-01-16
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-22
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-24
• Primary Completion: 2026-01
• Study Completion: 2026-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

1. Female
2. ≥ 18 years old at the time of informed consent
3. Ability to provide written informed consent and HIPAA authorization
4. Primary diagnosis of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, uterine, or anal cancer
5. Candidate for curative pelvic radiation with external beam, with or without brachytherapy, per radiation oncologist's discretion

Notes:

• Can have prior and/or current modalities of treatment to address diagnosis including surgery and chemotherapy
• Can receive radiation at any facility provided patient is able to perform Physical Therapy visits at IUH North/Schwarz Cancer Center

Exclusion Criteria

1. Major medical illnesses or psychiatric impairments, which in the investigator's opinion will prevent administration or completion of the protocol therapy and/or interfere with follow-up.
2. Not a candidate for curative radiation therapy per radiation oncologist's discretion
3. Prior radiation therapy to the pelvis
4. Women who are pregnant or nursing

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Pelvic health Assessment and Intervention	Pelvic health therapy	-
Pelvic health Assessment and Intervention	Dilator feasability	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasability of implementation of pre-rehabilitation to radiotherapy	Baseline to 4 months	The number of Female Sexual Function Index questionnaires will be recorded as completed, incomplete or not attempted. Reasons for submitting incomplete questionnaires or not submitting a questionnaire will be recorded.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Average score on the Visual Pain Rating Scale.	Immediately upon radiation completion, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks post radiation	Visual Analogue Pain Rating Scale 0-10
Evaluate female sexual function based on questionnaire responses	Immediately upon radiation completion, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks post radiation	Female Sexual Function Index questionnaires (Likert scale)
Percentage of adherence to dilator use	Immediately upon radiation completion, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks post radiation	Self-reported dilator adherence

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center; 🇺🇸 Carmel, Indiana, United States