A feasibility trial of online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for women with provoked vestibulodynia

OBJECTIVES

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an established treatment for chronic pain. However, it is a form of treatment that have not yet been applied much in the treatment of persistent vulvar pain disorders. This study examines the feasibility and preliminary effects of online ACT for patients with provoked vestibulodynia.

METHODS

Women diagnosed with provoked vestibulodynia were assigned randomly either to online ACT or to a waitlist control group. Feasibility was assessed in terms of recruitment potential, treatment credibility, completions rates, retention in trial, and data quality. Participants completed measures of pain with sexual activity, sexual functioning, emotional and relational adjustment, and potential treatment processes before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 111 women who were invited to participate in the study, 44 were included (39.6 % recruitment rate). Thirty seven participants (84.1 %) completed the pre-treatment assessment. Participants who received online ACT rated treatment credibility positively, and completed on average 4.31 (SD=1.60) of the six treatment modules. Of participants, 34 provided post treatment data, giving a trial retention rate of 77 %. Effects of online ACT, as compared to waitlist, were large for pain acceptance and quality of life, medium for anxiety and pain catastrophizing, and small for sexual satisfaction, pain with sexual activity, and relationship adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

With some adjustments to recruitment procedures, a full scale randomized controlled trial of online ACT for provoked vestibulodynia appears feasible.