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Chun: Effectiveness of PLISSIT Model Sexual Program on Female Sexual Function for Women with Gynecologic Cancer
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011; 41(4): 471-480.

Published online: 31 August 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.4.471

Effectiveness of PLISSIT Model Sexual Program on Female Sexual Function for Women with Gynecologic Cancer

Nami Chun

Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Chun, Nami. College of Nursing, Sungshin Women's University, Dongseon-dong 3-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-742, Korea. Tel: +82-2-920-7523, Fax: +82-2-920-2091, nmchun@sungshin.ac.kr

Received 25 January 2011       Accepted 4 August 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy (PLISSIT) model sexual program on female sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer.

Methods

The integrative 6-hr (two hours per session) program reflecting physical and psychosocial aspects of women's sexuality was developed based on Annon's PLISSIT model. Participants were 61 women with cervical, ovarian, or endometrial cancer. Of them, 29 were assigned to the experimental group and 32 to the control group. The women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) including sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Independent t-test and repeated measured ANOVA were used to test the effectiveness of the program.

Results

Significant group differences were found on FSFI sub-domain scores including sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction but not pain. Significant time differences were found on all domains except for pain in the experimental group repeated measured ANOVA.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the three-week PLISSIT model sexual program is effective in increasing sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer. Nurses may contribute to improving women's sexual function by utilizing the program. Strategies to relieve sexual pain need to be considered for greater effectiveness of the program.

Keywords: Gynecologic neoplasms, Sexual dysfunction, Program effectiveness

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Research design.
jkan-41-471-g001
Table 1
Program Outline
jkan-41-471-i001

FSFI=Female sexual function Index; PLISSIT=Permission, Limited information, Specific suggestion, Intensive therapy; FAQ=Frequently asked questions.

Table 2
General and Medical Characteristics and Homogeneity between Experimental and Control Group (N=61)
jkan-41-471-i002
Table 3
Differences in Pre-Post Female Sexual Function, Psychosocial and Physical Variables Between Experimental and Control Groups (N=61)
jkan-41-471-i003

Exp.=Experimental group (n=29); Cont.=Control group (n=32); FSFI=Female sexual function index.

Table 4
Changes of Sexual Function Over Time in Women who Received the PLISSIT Model Sexual Program (N=29)
jkan-41-471-i004

PLISSIT=Permission, limited nformation, Specific suggestion, intensive Therapy; FSFI=Female sexual function iIndex.

Notes

This study was supported by Sungshin Women's University research grant of 2009.

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