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

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/.

Feasibility and effectiveness of communication tools for addressing intimacy and sexuality in patients with cancer: a systematic review

“…Various tools were described in the 35 included studies, (see Table 1 ). The most commonly used tool was the specific, stepwise model PLISSIT [ 39 , 48 – 50 , 54 , 61 , 66 , 75 ]. Two studies used the Extended PLISSIT model (EX-PLISSIT), which differs from the original PLISSIT model in that it is feedback-oriented while PLISSIT is a linear model [ 59 , 68 ].…”

“…A statistically significant improvement was found over time in the patient’s sexual functioning in 11 studies, mostly in studies among individual patients. Of these, five studies based their intervention on PLISSIT [ 38 , 48 , 50 , 54 , 59 ]. One study among couples indicated improvement in female sexual functioning and little improvement in male sexual functioning, without providing information about significance [ 62 ].…”

“…Sexual distress among individual patients was assessed in two studies, using the Index of Sexual Satisfaction and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Both studies reported a decrease in sexual distress [ 54 , 62 ]. Of these studies, one study applied PLISSIT-based counselling among individuals [ 54 ] and the other study applied a phone-based intervention among couples [ 62 ].…”

“…Both studies reported a decrease in sexual distress [ 54 , 62 ]. Of these studies, one study applied PLISSIT-based counselling among individuals [ 54 ] and the other study applied a phone-based intervention among couples [ 62 ].…”

Early nursing sexual consultation and psychoeducation for improving sexual life quality of breast cancer patients: a systematic meta-analysis

“…P = 0.91, I 2 = 0%), there was no heterogeneity among the above studies. [24][25] Group problem solving therapy, a multimedia intervention showed the same positive signi cance on post-treatment sexual life satisfaction in breast cancer patients with the SMD of 0.44 (95% [CI] = 0.1-0.79). The change in prognosis Z = 2.5, p = 0.01.…”