Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.22(1) > 1089551

Moon: Effect of Sexual Function Improvement Program for Breast Cancer Survivors on Sexual Distress, Sexual Satisfaction and Marital Intimacy

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted to examine effects of a sexual function improvement program on sexual distress, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy among breast cancer survivors.

Methods

With quasi-experimental design, a total of 54 women after breast surgery were assigned into experimental group (n=28) and control group (n=26) after recruited via convenience sampling. They were endocrine surgery outpatients in university hospital at Chonnam province. Experimental group received a sexual function improvement program 5 sessions over 5 weeks. Sexual distress, sexual satisfaction, and marital intimacy were examined with self-report structured questionaries. Data were analyzed using χ2 test, Fisher's exact, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance with SPSS 17.0/window program.

Results

Women who participated in the sexual function improvement program had lower sexual distress (F=27.29, p<.001), higher sexual satisfaction (t=3.09, p=.003) higher marital intimacy (F=17.51, p<.001) than the women who did not participate.

Conclusion

Results suggest that a sexual function improvement program can be effective strategy to improve sexual distress, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy. Therefore, this program can be regarded as useful nursing intervention program for breast cancer survivors.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Sexual function improvement program by session.

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Table 1

Homogeneity of General Characteristics between Experimental and Control Group

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Variables Categories Exp. (n=28) Cont. (n=26) x2 or t p
n (%) or M±SD n (%) or M±SD
Age (year) 45.46±5.98 44.08±5.78 0.87 .391
≤39 5 (17.8) 5 (19.2)
40~49 15 (53.6) 17 (65.4)
50~59 8 (28.6) 4 (15.4)
Educational level ≥High school 20 (71.4) 19 (73.1) - .920
≤Middle school 8 (28.6) 7 (26.9)
Monthly income (10,000 won) ≥250 8 (28.6) 6 (23.1) 0.21 .645
≤251 20 (71.4) 20 (76.9)
Employment Employed 7 (25.0) 7 (26.9) 0.03 .872
Unemployed 21 (75.0) 19 (73.1)
Religion Have 23 (82.1) 19 (73.1) - .685
Have not 5 (17.9) 7 (26.9)
Children Have 28 (100.0) 26 (100.0) - -

Fisher's exact test.

Table 2

Homogeneity of Disease related Characteristics between Experimental and Control Group

kjwhn-22-30-i002
Variables Categories Exp. (n=28) Cont. (n=26) x2 p
n (%) n (%)
Current menopausal status Yes 23 (82.1) 18 (69.2) 1.23 .267
No 5 (17.9) 8 (30.8)
Type of surgery Mastectomy 17 (60.7) 13 (50.0) -
BCS 11 (39.3) 13 (50.0) .409
Cancer stage Stage 1 13 (46.4) 8 (30.8) - .399
Stage 2 8 (28.6) 12 (46.2)
Stage 3 6 (21.4) 6 (23.0)
Stage 4 1 (3.6) 0 (0.0)
Years since completion of treatment 1 3 (10.7) 1 (3.8) - .783
2 12 (42.9) 12 (46.2)
3 4 (14.3) 4 (15.4)
4 2 (7.1) 4 (15.4)
5 7 (25.0) 5 (19.2)
Recurrence experience Yes 1 (3.6) 0 (0.0) - >.999
No 27 (96.4) 26 (100.0)
Hormonal therapy (Nolvadex®) Yes 9 (32.1) 11 (42.3) 0.60 .440
No 19 (67.9) 15 (57.7)

Fisher's exact test; BCS=breast conserving surgery.

Table 3

Homogeneity of Sexual Distress, Sexual Satisfaction, Marital Intimacy on Pretest

kjwhn-22-30-i003
Variables (range) Exp. (n=28) Cont. (n=26) t p
M±SD M±SD
Sexual distress (0~64) 23.96±14.41 35.73±8.67 -3.67 .001
Sexual satisfaction (1~68) 36.54±12.50 33.42±6.27 1.17 .249
Marital intimacy (1~32) 19.32±4.81 19.62±2.98 2.51 .016
Table 4

Effect of Sexual Function Improvement Program on Sexual Distress, Sexual Satisfaction, and Marital Intimacy between Experimental and Control Group (N=54)

kjwhn-22-30-i004
Variables (range) Groups Pretest Posttest Difference t or F p
M±SD M±SD M±SD
Sexual distress (0~64) Exp. 23.96±14.41 19.07±9.14 -4.89±15.99 27.29 <.001
Cont. 35.73±8.67 34.27±8.53 -1.46±11.39
Marital intimacy (1~32) Exp. 19.32±4.81 21.21±4.13 1.89±6.51 17.51 <.001
Cont. 19.62±2.98 16.88±2.61 0.27±3.32
Sexual satisfaction (1~68) Exp. 36.54±12.50 45.11±8.97 8.57±13.38 3.09 .003
Cont. 33.42±6.27 32.77±6.53 -0.65±7.45

Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used.

Notes

This article is a revision of the first author's doctoral thesis from Chonnam National University.

Summary Statement

▪ What is already known about this topic?
Existing sexual function improvement program for breast survivors women were run to 8 weeks that focus on a psychological issue.
▪ What this paper adds?
The sexual function improvement program for 5 weeks was effective approach to improve sexual distress, sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy.
▪ Implications for practice, education and/or policy
This program would be useful nursing intervention program for managing sexual function problems in women with breast surgery due to breast cancer.

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