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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Apr;8(4):1197-209.
doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02163.x. Epub 2011 Jan 6.

Intimacy-enhancing psychological intervention for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners: a pilot study

Sharon L Manne  1 , David W Kissane, Christian J Nelson, John P Mulhall, Gary Winkel, Talia Zaider
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Intimacy-enhancing psychological intervention for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners: a pilot study

Sharon L Manne et al. J Sex Med. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Few couple-focused interventions have been developed to improve distress and relationship outcomes among men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their partners.

Aims: We examined the effects of a five-session Intimacy-Enhancing Therapy (IET) vs. Usual Care (UC) on the psychological and relationship functioning of men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their partners. Pre-intervention levels of psychological and relationship functioning were evaluated as moderators of intervention effects.

Methods: Seventy-one survivors and their partners completed a baseline survey and were subsequently randomly assigned to receive five sessions of IET or UC (no treatment). Eight weeks after the baseline assessment, a follow-up survey was administered to survivor and partner.

Main outcome measures: Distress, well-being, relationship satisfaction, relationship intimacy, and communication were investigated as the main outcomes.

Results: IET effects were largely moderated by pre-intervention psychosocial and relationship factors. Those survivors who had higher levels of cancer concerns at pretreatment had significantly reduced concerns following IET. Similar moderating effects for pre-intervention levels were reported for the effects of IET on self-disclosure, perceived partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness. Among partners beginning the intervention with higher cancer-specific distress, lower marital satisfaction, lower intimacy, and poorer communication, IET improved these outcomes.

Conclusions: IET had a marginally significant main effect upon survivor well-being but was effective among couples with fewer personal and relationship resources. Subsequent research is needed to replicate these findings with a larger sample and a longer follow-up.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT Schema
Figure 2
Figure 2
Plot of the Interaction between Treatment Group × Baseline Survivor Cancer Concerns
Figure 3
Figure 3
Plot of the Interaction between Treatment Group × Baseline Survivor Self-Disclosure
Figure 4
Figure 4
Plot of the Interaction between Treatment Group × Baseline Partner Cancer-specific distress
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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