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Women's Health Communication Study

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Gynecologic Cancer
Interventions
Behavioral: Sexual and Menopausal Health Resources Only
Behavioral: Starting the Conversation
Registration Number
NCT05359952
Lead Sponsor
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Brief Summary

The central goal of this randomized, controlled pilot study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an educational intervention (called "Starting the Conversation"; STC) on patient communication about sexual health in gynecologic cancer and other patient health outcomes. Approximately 30 women with a diagnosis of gynecologic cancer will be randomized to either participate in either the Starting the Conversation (STC) condition, consisting of an educational video, workbook, and list of resources on sexual and menopausal health, or to a control condition offering the resource guide only. Patients will be asked to review intervention materials prior to their next clinic visit with their gynecologic cancer provider. The investigators will examine effects of the interventions on patients' beliefs about communication about sexual health and on patients' communication about sexual health during clinic visits with their providers. Secondarily, the investigators will examine effects of the interventions on sexual outcomes and other health outcomes, including psychological well-being.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
32
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of any stage (I-IV) gynecologic cancer (uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal/vulvar, fallopian tube, peritoneal)
  • Receiving any treatment for gynecologic cancer or have completed acute treatment < 10 years ago
  • Attending clinic visits in the course of follow-up care (i.e., not an initial consult visit)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Not able to speak English
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance status score > 2
  • Overt cognitive dysfunction or psychiatric disturbance or severe mental illness (e.g., dementia, suicidal behavior, or psychosis), as observed or judged by the researcher or referring source.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sexual and Menopausal Health Resources OnlySexual and Menopausal Health Resources OnlyParticipants are given the list of resources about sexual and menopausal health only.
Starting the ConversationStarting the ConversationParticipants are asked to watch an educational video along with an accompanying workbook (called "Starting the Conversation"). Participants are also asked to review a list of resources about sexual and menopausal health relevant to gynecologic cancer.
Starting the ConversationSexual and Menopausal Health Resources OnlyParticipants are asked to watch an educational video along with an accompanying workbook (called "Starting the Conversation"). Participants are also asked to review a list of resources about sexual and menopausal health relevant to gynecologic cancer.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Feasibility - EnrollmentBaseline

Study enrollment, defined as the number of participants randomized out of the number of eligible patients approached for participation

Feasibility - Retention2 months

Number of enrolled participants that complete the final study survey.

Feasibility - Intervention Completion2 weeks

Number of participants randomized to receive the Starting the Conversation intervention who report having engaged at least somewhat with the video and/or accompanying workbook.

Acceptability2 weeks

The number of participants randomized to receive the Starting the Conversation intervention who endorse at least 6 of 8 core components of the Starting the Conversation Intervention (defined as satisfaction with the intervention, informativeness of the intervention, helpfulness of the intervention, relevance of the intervention, ease of participation, approval of the intervention format, likelihood of recommending the intervention to others, and perceived importance of the intervention for people with gynecologic cancer).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Self-Efficacy - Post-Intervention2 weeks

Patients' confidence that they can discuss sexual concerns with their provider and ask their provider about sexual concerns. Scale ranges from 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy. Means will be reported.

Self-Efficacy - 2-Month Follow Up2 months

Patients' confidence that they can discuss sexual concerns with their provider and ask their provider about sexual concerns. Scale ranges from 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy. Means will be reported.

Clinical Communication - Discussion of Sexual Health2 weeks

Number of patients who discuss sexual health concerns in a clinic visit.

Clinical Communication - Raising Topic of Sexual Health2 weeks

Number of patients who raise the topic of sexual health concerns in a clinic visit.

Clinical Communication - Asking a Question About Sexual Health2 weeks

Number of patients who ask a question about sexual health concerns in a clinic visit.

Change in Sexual Functionbaseline to 2 months

Patients' self-reported sexual function will be measured using the 19-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).Total scale scores range from 2 to 36, with higher scores indicating higher functioning. Positive mean change scores indicate increase in sexual functioning over time while negative mean change scores indicate decrease in sexual functioning over time.

Sexual Activity2 months

A single item asking (yes/no) whether the participant had any kind of sexual activity in the past 30 days. Percent reporting sexual activity is reported.

Psychological Distress - Depression2 months

Patients self-reported depression, as measured through depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety \& Depression Scale (HADS). The depression subscale consists of 7 items that are scored from 0 to 3. Summed scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression. Means will be reported.

Psychological Distress - Anxiety2 months

Patients self-reported anxiety, as measured through anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety \& Depression Scale (HADS). The anxiety subscale consists of 7 items that are scored from 0 to 3. Summed scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety. Means will be reported.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fox Chase Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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