A theory-driven psycho-educational intervention programme for gynaecological cancer patients during treatment trajectory: A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a theory-driven psycho-educational intervention programme on uncertainty in illness, anxiety, and sexual functioning in a cohort of Chinese patients with gynaecological cancer.

METHODS

Women with newly diagnosed gynaecological cancer (n = 202) received either a four-session, 12-week-long, culturally appropriate psycho-educational intervention programme (n = 102) or attention from intervener (n = 100) in a two-group randomised controlled trial. Patient-reported measures included Chinese version of Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale (C-MUIS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-Anxiety subscale, and Sexual Function-Vaginal Changes Questionnaire (SVQ). Data regarding uncertainty in illness and anxiety were collected at baseline and postintervention, while data on sexual functioning were collected postintervention.

RESULTS

Patients receiving psycho-educational intervention reported significantly greater reductions in ambiguity, inconsistency, and overall uncertainty in illness, as measured by C-MUIS (P < .01). They were also more likely to be sexually active (P = .037), report their partners having greater sexual interest (P = .008), and perceive a significantly greater level of intimacy (P = .001) in the SVQ.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the growing population of gynaecological cancer survivors and the universal side effects of the disease and its related treatments, the established design and content of the psycho-educational intervention programme should be incorporated into routine clinical practice.