A Prospective Single-Arm Study Evaluating the Effects of a Multimodal Physical Therapy Intervention on Psychosexual Outcomes in Women With Dyspareunia After Gynecologic Cancer

Cyr, Marie-Pierre; Dumoulin, Chantale; Bessette, Paul; Pina, Annick; Gotlieb, Walter H.; Lapointe-Milot, Korine; Mayrand, Marie‐Hélène; Morin, Mélanie

doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.02.014

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…This research was conducted in Sherbrooke and Montreal (Canada). Changes from baseline to post-treatment have been published elsewhere [ 27 – 29 ], and changes from baseline and post-treatment to one-year follow-up will be the focus of the present manuscript. The participants underwent baseline, post-treatment and one-year follow-up assessments.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The interview questions related to this manuscript’s research objective focused on women’s perceptions of treatment effects and their hypotheses about factors influencing these effects. Probing questions aimed to obtain in-depth information about participants’ perceptions of treatment effects, exploring short-term effects previously documented in quantitative research [ 27 – 29 ] and using a biopsychosocial approach of health to explore any further effects and factors perceived to influence these effects [ 6 , 7 ]. The semi-structured guide was pilot-tested with a patient partner under the supervision of the principal investigator (MM) and the other research team member (CC).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So far, only one recent multicenter prospective study conducted by our team investigated a 12-week PFPT treatment in this population [ 27 ]. Significant changes in biological and psychosexual outcomes were found following treatment [ 27 – 29 ]. Using a comprehensive assessment combining intra-vaginal dynamometry and ultrasound imaging, pelvic floor muscle tone was significantly reduced while tissue flexibility, muscle contractile properties, control as well as endurance significantly improved immediately after treatment [ 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An increase in vaginal dimensions and a reduction in vaginal atrophy signs were also measured [ 28 ]. Concurrently, pain during intercourse, sexual distress, body image concerns, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, depressive symptoms, urinary symptoms, vaginal symptoms and sexual matters decreased while sexual functioning and pain self-efficacy improved after PFPT [ 27 , 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through psychosexual education, manual therapy techniques and pelvic floor muscle exercises, PFPT targets the consequences of oncological treatments by restoring the pelvic floor tissues [8] while providing support and guidance to women to resume painless sexual activities [25,26] multicenter prospective study conducted by our team investigated a 12-week PFPT treatment in this population [27]. Significant changes in biological and psychosexual outcomes were found following treatment [27][28][29]. Using a comprehensive assessment combining intra-vaginal dynamometry and ultrasound imaging, pelvic floor muscle tone was significantly reduced while tissue flexibility, muscle contractile properties, control as well as endurance significantly improved immediately after treatment [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improvements following multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy in gynecological cancer survivors suffering from pain during sexual intercourse: Results from a one-year follow-up mixed-method study

et al. 2022

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Background A large proportion of gynecological cancer survivors suffer from pain during sexual intercourse, also known as dyspareunia. Following a multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) treatment, a reduction in pain and improvement in psychosexual outcomes were found in the short term, but no study thus far has examined whether these changes are sustained over time. Purpose To examine the improvements in pain, sexual functioning, sexual distress, body image concerns, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, painful intercourse self-efficacy, depressive symptoms and pelvic floor disorder symptoms in gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia after PFPT, and to explore women’s perceptions of treatment effects at one-year follow-up. Methods This mixed-method study included 31 gynecological cancer survivors affected by dyspareunia. The women completed a 12-week PFPT treatment comprising education, manual therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercises. Quantitative data were collected using validated questionnaires at baseline, post-treatment and one-year follow-up. As for qualitative data, semi-structured interviews were conducted at one-year follow-up to better understand women’s perception and experience of treatment effects. Results Significant improvements were found from baseline to one-year follow-up on all quantitative outcomes (P ≤ 0.028). Moreover, no changes were found from post-treatment to one-year follow-up, supporting that the improvements were sustained at follow-up. Qualitative data highlighted that reduction in pain, improvement in sexual functioning and reduction in urinary symptoms were the most meaningful effects perceived by participants. Women expressed that these effects resulted from positive biological, psychological and social changes attributable to multimodal PFPT. Adherence was also perceived to influence treatment outcomes. Conclusions Findings suggest that the short-term improvements following multimodal PFPT are sustained and meaningful for gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia one year after treatment.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Improvements following multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy in gynecological cancer survivors suffering from pain during sexual intercourse: Results from a one-year follow-up mixed-method study

et al. 2022

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Acceptability of multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy to treat dyspareunia after gynecological malignancies: a qualitative study of women’s views and experiences

et al. 2022

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Introduction and hypothesis Multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is recommended after gynecological malignancies to treat dyspareunia. However, data to strongly support its implementation in the cancer care continuum are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia regarding the acceptability of multimodal PFPT. Methods This qualitative study was conducted with the participants (n = 28) of a study investigating a 12-week multimodal PFPT treatment. Individual semi-structured telephone interviews served to collect qualitative data pertaining to women’s views and experiences of the treatment they received. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis using the interpretative description framework. Results Our cohort described the appropriateness of the treatment in terms of modalities, physical therapist, care delivery, and intensity (Theme 1). While the intensity was reported as demanding by a few, all participants stressed that it was relevant to see significant improvements (Theme 2). In addition to the treatment characteristics and women’s beliefs and attitudes, noticing the treatment effects motivated their participation (Theme 2). Women expressed being highly satisfied with the treatment based on their positive experiences and the balance between their efforts and the results they obtained (Theme 3). As a result, they all recommended this treatment (Theme 3). Conclusions This is the first study to examine the acceptability of multimodal PFPT in the context of gynecological malignancies. This treatment was found acceptable and can be offered to gynecological cancer survivors.

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Gynecological Cancer Survivors’ Experiences of Dyspareunia and Factors Influencing Care-Seeking Behavior: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2023

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A Prospective Single-Arm Study Evaluating the Effects of a Multimodal Physical Therapy Intervention on Psychosexual Outcomes in Women With Dyspareunia After Gynecologic Cancer

Cited by 11 publications

References 53 publications

Improvements following multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy in gynecological cancer survivors suffering from pain during sexual intercourse: Results from a one-year follow-up mixed-method study

Improvements following multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy in gynecological cancer survivors suffering from pain during sexual intercourse: Results from a one-year follow-up mixed-method study

Acceptability of multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy to treat dyspareunia after gynecological malignancies: a qualitative study of women’s views and experiences

Gynecological Cancer Survivors’ Experiences of Dyspareunia and Factors Influencing Care-Seeking Behavior: A Qualitative Study

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