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An Internet-based Information Platform for Vulvodynia Patients

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Vulvodynia
Interventions
Behavioral: Internet-based platform
Registration Number
NCT02809612
Lead Sponsor
Uppsala University
Brief Summary

Vulvodynia is a very common but vastly under-diagnosed and under-treated gynaecological condition that leads to extreme suffering for both the women involved but also their partners. It has also been shown to be associated with poor quality of life, leading to depression and anxiety states. When left untreated, the condition takes a very long time to resolve, with a substantial associated disability and suffering. Both psycho-education and internet-based interventions have been shown to be highly successful while they can be quite affordable. This makes them highly cost-effective. The present study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of such an intervention among a vulvodynia patient population from the clinics of Uppsala, Falun, Orebro and Gävle. The patients will be recruited by treating physicians and given access to the internet-based platform, where they will fill out questionnaires during four different time-points, after randomization to the control or the intervention group. The intervention group will also have access to multiple activities and information material uploaded in the internet-based platform. Differences in pain, quality of life and mental health parameter outcomes will be assessed at the end of the study. Should this intervention prove effective, it will be implemented in clinical praxis in the four regions.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
52
Inclusion Criteria
  • Vulvodynia patients at their initial evaluation visit to a physician providing written informed consent for participation in the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • inability to read and understand Swedish
  • severe mental illness
  • currently in treatment for vulvodynia

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Internet-based interventionInternet-based platformPatients randomized to the internet-based intervention will be given access to the information in the internet-based platform directly after randomization. During the first 6 weeks, information will be offered in a structured way, with a "theme" changing weekly. After this time-point, the patients will have the possibility to navigate through all information. The platform encompasses internet-based training including information on the disorder, psycho-education and information of simple self-implemented intervention strategies cope with vulvodynia and ameliorate dyspareunia. The platform will also include videos where team members will describe their role in treating patients with the disorder, but also short videos from former patients willing to share their individual stories.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Unprovoked pain change, post-interventionBaseline to post-intervention (6 weeks)

Change in self-reported unprovoked pain assessment, assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), between baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)

Unprovoked pain change, one year post-treatment1 year after end of clinical treatment

Change in self-reported unprovoked pain assessment, assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), between baseline and 1 year after completion of clinical treatment.

Provoked pain change, post-interventionpost-intervention (6 weeks)

Change in self-reported provoked pain assessment, assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), between baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)

Unprovoked pain change, end of clinical treatmentBaseline to end of clinical treatment (typically 10-12 months) or 1 year following inclusion

Change in self-reported unprovoked pain assessment, assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), between baseline and after completion of clinical treatment or 1 year following inclusion.

Provoked pain change, end of clinical treatmentafter clinical treatment (typically 10-12 months) or 1 year following inclusion

Change in self-reported provoked pain assessment, assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), between baseline and after completion of clinical treatment or 1 year following inclusion.

Provoked pain change, one year post-treatment1 year after ending of clinical treatment

Change in self-reported unprovoked pain assessment, assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), between baseline and 1 year after completion of clinical treatment.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Satisfaction with Life changeBaseline to post-intervention (6 weeks)

Change in satisfaction with Life, assessed with Satisfaction with Life Scale, between baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)

SexualityBaseline to post-intervention (6 weeks)

Change in sexuality measures, assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)

Cost-effectiveness, assessed with the EQ-5D scaleBaseline to one year after completion of clinical treatment

Cost-effectiveness, assessed with the EQ-5D scale, from baseline to one year after completion of clinica treatment

Sexual function parametersBaseline to end of clinical treatment

Change in sexual function parameters, assessed by the Female Sexual Dysfunction Scale (SFDS), between baseline and completion of clinical treatment

Number of visits for clinical treatmentOne year after the end of clinical treatment

Number of visits for clinical treatment

Number of days off workBaseline to end of clinical treatment
Satisfaction with Life change, one year post-treatmentBaseline to one year post-treatment

Change in satisfaction with Life, assessed with Satisfaction with Life Scale, between baseline and one year after completion of clinical treatment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gynecological Department, Akademiska Hospital

🇸🇪

Uppsala, Sweden

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