title: Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Sexual Functioning of Breast Cancer Survivors: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: Purpose We evaluated the effect of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual functioning and relationship intimacy (primary outcomes) and body image, menopausal symptoms, marital functioning, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of a sexual dysfunction. Patients and Methods We randomly assigned 169 BCSs to either Internet-based CBT or a waiting-list control group. The CBT consisted of weekly therapist-guided sessions, with a maximum duration of 24 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were completed by the intervention group at baseline (T0), midtherapy (T1), and post-therapy (T2) and at equivalent times by the control group. We used a mixed-effect modeling approach to compare the groups over time. Results Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement over time in overall sexual functioning (effect size for T2 [EST2] = .43; P = .031), which was reflected in an increase in sexual desire (EST1= .48 and EST2= .72; P < .001), sexual arousal (EST2= .50; P = .008), and vaginal lubrication (EST2= .46; P = .013). The intervention group reported more improvement over time in sexual pleasure (EST1= .32 and EST2= .62; P = .001), less discomfort during sex (EST1= .49 and EST2= .66; P = .001), and less sexual distress (EST2= .59; P = .002) compared with the control group. The intervention group reported greater improvement in body image (EST2= .45; P = .009) and fewer menopausal symptoms (EST1= .39; P = .007) than the control group. No significant effects were observed for orgasmic function, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency, relationship intimacy, marital functioning, psychological distress, or health-related quality of life. Conclusion Internet-based CBT has salutary effects on sexual functioning, body image, and menopausal symptoms in BCSs with a sexual dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Susanna B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jacques J D M
authors.initials: JJDM
authors.lastname: van Lankveld
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hester S A
authors.initials: HSA
authors.lastname: Oldenburg
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Daniela E E
authors.initials: DEE
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jacobien M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kieffer
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Miranda A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gerritsma
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marianne A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kuenen
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bijker
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Borgstein
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gijsbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heuff
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alexander M F
authors.initials: AMF
authors.lastname: Lopes Cardozo
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Plaisier
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rijna
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van der Meij
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: van Dulken
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Vrouenraets
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broomans
authors.affiliation: Susanna B. Hummel, Hester S.A. Oldenburg, Daniela E.E. Hahn, Jacobien M. Kieffer, Miranda A. Gerritsma, Marianne A. Kuenen, and Neil K. Aaronson, The Netherlands Cancer Institute; Nina Bijker, Academic Medical Center; Paul J. Borgstein, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis East; Eric J. van Dulken, Medical Center Slotervaart; Bart C. Vrouenraets, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis West, Amsterdam; Jacques J.D.M. van Lankveld, Open University, Heerlen; Gijsbert Heuff, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, Hoofddorp; Alexander M.F. Lopes Cardozo, Noordwest Hospital Group Alkmaar, Alkmaar; Peter W. Plaisier, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht; Herman Rijna, Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem, Haarlem; Suzan van der Meij, Flevo Hospital, Almere; and Eva Broomans, Virenze Institute of Mental Health Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Neil K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Aaronson
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014850:Waiting Lists