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Arends SAM, van Rossum CE, Eeltink CM, Robertus JE, Schoonmade LJ, Francke AL, Jongerden IP. Feasibility and effectiveness of communication tools for addressing intimacy and sexuality in patients with cancer: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:109. [PMID: 38231322 PMCID: PMC10794301 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08308-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients diagnosed with cancer might experience changes in intimacy and sexuality due to the illness itself, treatment, or psychological and social factors. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) often feel reluctant to discuss these changes. This study aimed to provide an overview of the feasibility and effectiveness of communication tools that support communication regarding changes in intimacy or sexuality among patients with cancer. METHODS This is a systematic review. Databases are PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science and Cochrane Library from inception to June 2023. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess included studies. Data were summarized in data charting forms. RESULTS In total 35 studies were included, published between 2001 and 2023. Most had a quantitative design and moderate methodological quality. In 11 studies, the PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) was used. Tools were integrated in counselling sessions or training programmes for individual patients, couples, groups of patients, or HCPs. All tools were considered feasible by patients or HCPs. Twenty studies reported significant improvement in sexual functioning, quality of life, quality of care or combined outcomes. CONCLUSION Tools to support communication about changes in intimacy and sexuality among patients with cancer seem feasible and effective. The most commonly used tool, the PLISSIT model, proved to be feasible for HCPs and to have a positive effect on patients' and partners' sexual functioning and quality of life. Giving attention to changes in intimacy and sexuality seems to be important in itself, regardless of the communication tool or approach used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A M Arends
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Carlijn E van Rossum
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Corien M Eeltink
- Oncology Daycare Center, Dijklander Hospital, Hoorn, the Netherlands
| | - Jantien E Robertus
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anneke L Francke
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- NIVEL. Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Irene P Jongerden
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Van Der Boechorststraat 7, NL-1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Shami M, Montazeri A, Faezi ST, Behboodi Moghadam Z. The Effect of Sexual Counseling Based on EX‑PLISSIT Model on Improving the Sexual Function of Married Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY 2023; 41:451-466. [PMID: 37168977 PMCID: PMC9970119 DOI: 10.1007/s11195-023-09776-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. This disease triggers sexual dysfunction due to physiological, cognitive and mental effects. Since sexual function is often ignored in these patients, this study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual counseling based on EX‑PLISSIT model on improving the sexual function of married women with SLE. This clinical trial was conducted on 101 married women suffering from SLE (18-49 years) residing in Tehran. Randomization was performed by random block allocation with six blocks in a rheumatology clinic. A demographic questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21 Items (DASS-21), and the female sexual function index were used to collect the data. The intervention group received counselling sessions every week while the control group (n = 55) received routine care for the disease. Eight and twelve weeks after completion of counselling sessions, outcomes compared between the intervention and control groups, using independent ttest, paired t-test, repeated measures and Chi-squared test. The scores of sexual function in both groups did not differ significantly before the intervention (p > 0.05). At the first follow-up session, the score of all sexual function domains except sexual pain increased significantly in the intervention group while a significant reduction was observed in all domains of sexual function in the control group (p < 0.05). In the second follow-up, sexual function significantly increased in the intervention group whereas it significantly decreased in the control group (p < 0.05). According to the findings of this study, counseling based on EX-PLISSIT model positively affected the sexual function of women with SLE. Therefore, this model can be used as a cost-effective and simple counseling method to improve the sexual functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Shami
- Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Midwifery Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Montazeri
- Population Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Humanity Sciences, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Tahereh Faezi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Amirabad Street, Tehran, 1411713137 Iran
| | - Zahra Behboodi Moghadam
- Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Keshavarz Z, Karimi E, Golezar S, Ozgoli G, Nasiri M. The effect of PLISSIT based counseling model on sexual function, quality of life, and sexual distress in women surviving breast cancer: a single-group pretest-posttest trial. BMC Womens Health 2021; 21:417. [PMID: 34915873 PMCID: PMC8680023 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer potentially leads to sexual dysfunction and sexual distress in women and negatively affects their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed at determining the effect of PLISSIT based counseling on sexual function, sexual distress, and QoL in women surviving breast cancer. METHODS In this pre-test, post-test, single-group semi-experimental study, 65 women surviving breast cancer who were referred to the selected centers were included in the study via the available sampling method. Data gathering tools included a researcher-made demographic questionnaire, female sexual function index, beck depression inventory-II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, World Health Organization QoL-Brief, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. The counseling program (7 sessions 60 min each) was designed based on the PLISSIT model. The sexual function, sexual distress, and QoL were evaluated before, and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. To compare the mean scores of variables before and after the intervention, repeated-measured ANOVA was used. RESULTS The findings showed that PLISSIT based counseling significantly reduced sexual distress and increased the scores of QoL and all its domains, as well as sexual function and all its domains in women surviving breast cancer (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean scores of variables 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS It seems that PLISSIT based counseling reduces sexual dysfunction and sexual distress and improves the QoL of women surviving breast cancer. So, it is recommended that these counseling programs be integrated into the health care program of this group of women. TRIAL REGISTRATION TCTR202103170010, 17 March 2021, Retrospectively registered, at https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Keshavarz
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Karimi
- Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Golezar
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Giti Ozgoli
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Nasiri
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Tuncer M, Oskay ÜY. Sexual Counseling with the PLISSIT Model: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2021; 48:309-318. [PMID: 34789082 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2021.1998270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A systematic review was conducted to use recent and relevant literature resources in examining the sexual counseling with the PLISSIT model. Electronic literature search was conducted on Medline, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed between January 1, 2011, and March 1, 2021. 14 studies were included in the systematic review. The mostly used study design was randomized controlled trial. It was determined that PLISSIT model on sexual counseling is an effective, simple, useful, and cost-effective counseling method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Tuncer
- Faculty of Health Science, Department of Woman Health and Diseases Nursing, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ümran Yeşiltepe Oskay
- Faculty of Nursing, Department of Woman Health and Diseases Nursing, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Florence Nightingale, Istanbul, Turkey
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