title: An online psychological intervention can improve the sexual satisfaction of men following treatment for localized prostate cancer: outcomes of a Randomised Controlled Trial evaluating My Road Ahead.
abstract: Prostate cancer treatment often results in significant psycho-sexual challenges for men following treatment; however, many men report difficulty in accessing appropriate care.
  
  
  
  A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a 10-week self-guided online psychological intervention called My Road Ahead (MRA) for men with localized prostate cancer in improving sexual satisfaction. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions MRA alone or MRA plus online forum, or forum access alone. Pre, post, and follow-up assessments of overall sexual satisfaction were conducted. Mixed models and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data.
  
  
  
  One hundred forty-two men (mean age 61 y; SD = 7) participated. The majority of participants had undergone radical prostatectomy (88%) and all men had received treatment for localized prostate cancer. Significant differences were obtained for the 3 groups (P = .026) and a significant improvement in total sexual satisfaction was observed only for participants who were allocated to MRA + forum with a large effect size (P = .004, partial η2= 0.256). Structural equation modeling indicated that increases in sexual function, masculine self-esteem, and sexual confidence contributed significantly to overall sexual satisfaction for the MRA + forum plus forum condition.
  
  
  
  This study is the first, to our knowledge, that has evaluated a self-guided online psychological intervention tailored to the specific needs of men with prostate cancer. The findings indicate the potential for MRA to deliver support that men may not otherwise receive and also highlight the importance of psychological intervention to facilitate improved sexual outcomes.
authors: Department of Urology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.|Epworth Prostate Centre, Epworth Healthcare, Richmond, VIC, Australia.|Australian Prostate Cancer Research, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors: Addie C
authors: AC
authors: Wootten
authors: Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia.
authors: Denny
authors: D
authors: Meyer
authors: National eTherapy Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia.
authors: Jo-Anne M
authors: JM
authors: Abbott
authors: Department of Urology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.|School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: Chisholm
authors: School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Austin
authors: Centre for Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research & Innovation; School of Health Sciences & Psychology, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, Australia.
authors: Britt
authors: B
authors: Klein
authors: Australian Catholic University, Institute for Health and Ageing, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors: Marita
authors: M
authors: McCabe
authors: Epworth Prostate Centre, Epworth Healthcare, Richmond, VIC, Australia.|Division of Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors: Declan G
authors: DG
authors: Murphy
authors: Department of Urology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.|Epworth Prostate Centre, Epworth Healthcare, Richmond, VIC, Australia.|Australian Prostate Cancer Research, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors: Anthony J
authors: AJ
authors: Costello
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: online intervention; prostate cancer; psychological intervention; sexual outcomes