A randomised, wait-list controlled trial: evaluation of a cognitive-behavioural group intervention on psycho-sexual adjustment for men with localised prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) group intervention to facilitate improved psycho-sexual adjustment to treatment side effects in prostate cancer survivors post-radical prostatectomy.

Methods: A randomised, wait-list controlled trial was conducted with a total of 60 men who participated in a manualised 8-week cognitive-behavioural group intervention 6 months to 5 years post-radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer. Participants completed standardised questionnaires pre-intervention and post-intervention, which assessed mood state, stress, general and prostate cancer anxiety, quality of life and areas of sexual functioning.

Results: Paired samples t-tests identified a significant improvement in sexual confidence, masculine self-esteem, sexual drive/relationship and a significant decline in sexual behaviour from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that after controlling for covariates, participation in the group intervention significantly improved sexual confidence, sexual intimacy, masculine self-esteem and satisfaction with orgasm.

Conclusions: This group-based CBT intervention for men post-radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer shows promising results in terms of improving quality of life.

Keywords: cognitive behaviour therapy group intervention; masculinity; oncology; prostate cancer; psycho‐sexual adjustment; sexual intimacy.