Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Jan 15;118(2):500-9.
doi: 10.1002/cncr.26308. Epub 2011 Sep 26.

A randomized trial of internet-based versus traditional sexual counseling for couples after localized prostate cancer treatment

Leslie R Schover  1 , Andrea L Canada, Ying Yuan, Dawen Sui, Leah Neese, Rosell Jenkins, Michelle M Rhodes
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized trial of internet-based versus traditional sexual counseling for couples after localized prostate cancer treatment

Leslie R Schover et al. Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: After treatment for prostate cancer, multidisciplinary sexual rehabilitation involving couples appears more promising than traditional urologic treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). The authors of this report conducted a randomized trial comparing traditional or internet-based sexual counseling with waitlist (WL) control.

Methods: Couples were randomized adaptively to a 3-month WL, a 3-session face-to-face format (FF), or an internet-based format (WEB1). A second internet-based group (WEB2) was added to examine the relation between web site use and outcomes. At baseline, post-WL, post-treatment, and 6-month, and 12-month follow-up assessments, participants completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 to measure emotional distress, and the abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

Results: Outcomes did not change during the WL period. Of 115 couples that were randomized to FF or WEB1 and 71 couples in the WEB2 group, 34% dropped out. Neither drop-outs nor improvements in outcomes differed significantly between the 3 treatment groups. In a linear mixed-model analysis that included all participants, mean ± standard deviation IIEF scores improved significantly across time (baseline, 29.7 ± 17.9; 12 months, 36.2 ± 22.4; P < .001). FSFI scores also improved significantly (baseline, 15.4 ± 8.5; 12 months, 18.2 ± 10.7; P = .034). Better IIEF scores were associated with finding an effective medical treatment for ED and normal female sexual function at baseline. In the WEB2 group, IIEF scores improved significantly more in men who completed >75% of the intervention.

Conclusions: An internet-based sexual counseling program for couples was as effective as a brief, traditional sex therapy format in producing enduring improvements in sexual outcomes after prostate cancer.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The Impact of Initial FSFI Level on Changes in Women’s Sexual Function across Time
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Impact of Baseline Female Sexual Dysfunction on Men’s Sexual Function over Time
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean IIEF Scores across Time by Men’s Level of Web Site Completion (>75% vs. ≥75%)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Walsh PC. The discovery of the cavernous nerves and development of nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. J Urol. 2007;177:1632–1635. - PubMed
    1. Garzotto M, Fair WR. Historical perspective on prostate brachytherapy. J Endourol. 2000;14:315–318. - PubMed
    1. Prasad MM, Prasad SM, Hevelone ND, et al. Utilization of pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction following treatment for prostate cancer. J Sex Med. 2010;7:1062–1073. - PubMed
    1. Schover LR, Fouladi RT, Warneke CL, et al. Defining sexual outcomes after treatment for localized prostate cancer. Cancer. 2002;95:1773–1785. - PubMed
    1. Penson DF, McLerran D, Feng Z, et al. 5-year urinary and sexual outcomes after radical prostatectomy: Results from the prostate cancer outcomes study. J Urol. 2005;73:1701–1705. - PubMed

Publication types