NCT00614276

Brief Summary

The goal of this psychosocial research study is to learn whether a website program called "Tendrils: Sexual Renewal for Women after Cancer " may help female cancer survivors improve their sex lives when used either as a self-help tool or in combination with brief sexual counseling by a health care professional. Objectives: Sexual dysfunction is the most common long-term consequence of cancer treatment, affecting half of survivors of breast and gynecological cancer and many women treated for other cancers. Yet, few women get the help they need for sexual problems. Our primary objective is to develop and evaluate a multimedia intervention program for women with cancer-related sexual dysfunction. Tendrils: A Sexual Renewal Program for Women Surviving Cancer will: 1) explain the causes of cancer-related sexual dysfunction; 2) offer self-help strategies to prevent or overcome problems; 3) advise women on seeking appropriate medical help; and 4) possibly serve as the core of a counseling program, along with a therapist manual. Tendrils is aimed at a wide audience, from newly diagnosed to long-term survivors, across cancer sites. Material will be presented with sensitivity to religious and cultural attitudes about sexuality. Animations will illustrate anatomy and physiology. The software will let women use Tendrils in a variety of formats: over the internet, on a CD-Rom, printed out, or as downloaded digital video or audio on a handheld computer or media player. Video vignettes will illustrate problems and strategies. Five female cancer survivors will host the program, sharing their experiences.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
91

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2007

Longer than P75 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2007

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 30, 2008

Completed
14 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 13, 2008

Completed
5.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 1, 2013

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2013

Completed
Last Updated

January 9, 2015

Status Verified

October 1, 2013

Enrollment Period

5.8 years

First QC Date

January 30, 2008

Last Update Submit

January 7, 2015

Conditions

Keywords

Sexual DysfunctionCancer-related Sexual DysfunctionFemale Cancer SurvivorsTendrilsWebsite programSelf-help toolSexual counselingQuestionnaires

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Total score on Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)

    Baseline, after the 12-week treatment period, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

Study Arms (3)

Phase I - Focus Groups

Behavioral: Focus GroupBehavioral: TENDRILSBehavioral: Questionnaires

Phase II TENDRILS

Phase II - TENDRILS Program only.

Behavioral: TENDRILSBehavioral: Questionnaires

Phase II TENDRILS + Counseling

Phase II - TENDRILS + Sexual Counseling Sessions.

Behavioral: TENDRILSBehavioral: QuestionnairesBehavioral: Sexual Counseling Sessions

Interventions

Focus GroupBEHAVIORAL

To evaluate a multimedia intervention program for women with cancer-related sexual dysfunction.

Phase I - Focus Groups
TENDRILSBEHAVIORAL

Tendrils: A Sexual Renewal Program for Women Surviving Cancer - a website designed to give women information about sexual problems related to cancer and its treatment, and the website suggests ways to overcome those problems.

Phase I - Focus GroupsPhase II TENDRILSPhase II TENDRILS + Counseling
QuestionnairesBEHAVIORAL

The questionnaires ask about your background (such as age, education, relationships), your cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the quality of your life in terms of your health, your general emotions, and your sexual function. The questionnaires take about 30-45 minutes to complete.

Phase I - Focus GroupsPhase II TENDRILSPhase II TENDRILS + Counseling

Attend 3 sexual counseling sessions at M. D. Anderson.

Phase II TENDRILS + Counseling

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

Women, over 18 years old, with cancer-related sexual dysfunction.

You may qualify if:

  • Phase I: Woman cancer survivor
  • Phase I: Speaks and reads English well enough to evaluate the website and participate in a focus group
  • Phase II: Had breast cancer or a gynecological cancer diagnosed 1 to 5 years previously
  • Phase II: Has a sexual partner in relationship of at least 6 months' duration.
  • Phase II: Has a score on the Female Sexual Function Inventory below the cut-off criterion indicating sexual dysfunction (i.e. less than 26.55 total score).
  • Phase II: Lives in commuting distance of MDACC so that can attend 3 counseling sessions if randomized to professional treatment group.
  • Phase II: Currently no evidence of active cancer.
  • Phase II: Not receiving any cancer treatment other than hormonal therapy.

You may not qualify if:

  • Phase I: Under age 18
  • Phase II: Under age 18
  • Phase II: Currently in mental health care for a sexual problem.
  • Phase II: BSI-18 at study entry indicates high distress and a visit with project staff confirms that the participant is too distressed to benefit safely from the intervention.
  • Phase II: Cannot arrange for participant to have privacy when accessing internet at home, even if we offer loaner laptop and subsidized internet service.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

Location

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological

Interventions

Focus GroupsSurveys and Questionnaires

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital DiseasesUrogenital Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data CollectionEpidemiologic MethodsInvestigative TechniquesHealth Care Evaluation MechanismsQuality of Health CareHealth Care Quality, Access, and EvaluationPublic HealthEnvironment and Public Health

Study Officials

  • Leslie R Schover, PhD

    M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
CASE ONLY
Time Perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 30, 2008

First Posted

February 13, 2008

Study Start

October 1, 2007

Primary Completion

August 1, 2013

Study Completion

August 1, 2013

Last Updated

January 9, 2015

Record last verified: 2013-10

Locations