title: A randomised controlled trial of a couples-based sexuality intervention for men with localised prostate cancer and their female partners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer is followed by substantive sexual morbidity. The optimal approach for intervening remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-arm randomised control trial was undertaken with 189 heterosexual couples where the man had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated surgically. The efficacy of peer-delivered telephone support versus nurse-delivered telephone counselling versus usual care in improving both men's and women's sexual adjustment was investigated. Assessments were undertaken at baseline (pre-test) with follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12 months, men in the peer (p = 0.016) and nurse intervention (p = 0.008) were more likely to use medical treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) than men in the usual care arm. Men in the nurse intervention more frequently used oral medication for ED than men in usual care (p = 0.002). No significant effects were found for sexual function, sexuality needs, sexual self-confidence, masculine self-esteem, marital satisfaction or intimacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although peer and nurse couples-based interventions can increase use of medical treatments for ED, this may not translate into better sexual or relationship outcomes. More research is needed into the optimal timing of interventions to improve sexual outcomes for men with prostate cancer and to identify the subpopulations that will benefit from them.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.|Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Sydney, Australia.|University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|Health and Wellness Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Occhipinti
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schover
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zajdlewicz
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clutton
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Halford
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|Department of Urology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|School of Medicine, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.|School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D012649:Self Concept; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013689:Telephone; D064804:Urological Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D064804:Urological Agents
keywords: couples; partners; peer support; prostate cancer; psychosexual adjustment