Nurse-led Mind-body Intervention on Sexual Health for Breast Cancer Survivors

NCT ID: NCT06307470

Last Updated: 2025-12-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

43 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-15

Study Completion Date

2025-11-30

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of a nurse-led psychoeducational sexual health intervention for young women breast cancer survivors. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. What is the feasibility of this intervention in an online, private setting?
2. What is the effect of this intervention on reducing menopausal symptoms, improving sexual functioning, and enhancing body image?

Participants will participate in a nurse-led psychoeducational intervention for 8 sessions lasting approximately an hour each over the course of 16 weeks. Each participant will complete survey items at the beginning, end, and six-weeks after the last session. Participants will be compensated up to $150 in gift cards as a thank-you for their time.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Women's Health: Neoplasm of Breast Menopause, Premature Body Image Sexual Dysfunction Cancer, Breast

Keywords

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breast cancer young women cancer survivorship sexual functioning body image premature menopause

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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EMBRACE Group

Immediately following consent, participants randomized to the EMBRACE Group will begin with the EMBRACE intervention. Participants will meet with a registered nurse certified in sexuality and sex education for 8 sessions every two weeks depending on scheduling. Each of the 8 sessions will last between 60 - 90 minutes. By session 2, participants will receive vaginal rehydration (Hyalo-Gyn suppositories), vaginal dilation (CalExotics Dr. Berman Dilator), and vaginal lubrication (Good Clean Love BioNude). These products will be mailed to participants at no cost to the participants.

Participants will complete baseline measures, immediately following the intervention, and six weeks after the last session. Participants will be compensated for their time with a total up to $150.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

EMBRACE (Empowerment through Mind and Body Reclamation After Cancer Experience)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will be led by a registered nurse who holds certifications in sexuality counseling and sex education. The therapeutic, online environment will serve as a confidential, private space without judgement to encourage discussion to model safe sexuality communication for breast cancer survivors. The curriculum will include: i) psychoeducation: sexual body, mind-body connection, and sexual relationships; ii) physical-body education: physical response, safety, and navigating physical changes in survivorship; iii) solution-focused tools: tailored vaginal rehydration, lubrication, education; and iv) communication: internal, partnered, and patient-provider communication skills.

The solution-focused tools will include vaginal rehydration and dilation products with vaginal lubrication. Tools will be distributed via mail by Session 2.

Delayed EMBRACE Group

After consenting, participants randomized to the Delayed EMBRACE Group will begin with the EMBRACE intervention 16 weeks after enrollment. Participants will meet with a registered nurse certified in sexuality and sex education for 8 sessions every two weeks depending on scheduling. Each of the 8 sessions will last between 60 - 90 minutes. By session 2, participants will receive vaginal rehydration (Hyalo-Gyn suppositories), vaginal dilation (CalExotics Dr. Berman Dilator), and vaginal lubrication (Good Clean Love BioNude). These products will be mailed to participants at no cost to the participants.

Participants will complete baseline measures, immediately following the intervention, and six weeks after the last session. Participants will be compensated for their time with a total up to $150.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

EMBRACE (Empowerment through Mind and Body Reclamation After Cancer Experience)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will be led by a registered nurse who holds certifications in sexuality counseling and sex education. The therapeutic, online environment will serve as a confidential, private space without judgement to encourage discussion to model safe sexuality communication for breast cancer survivors. The curriculum will include: i) psychoeducation: sexual body, mind-body connection, and sexual relationships; ii) physical-body education: physical response, safety, and navigating physical changes in survivorship; iii) solution-focused tools: tailored vaginal rehydration, lubrication, education; and iv) communication: internal, partnered, and patient-provider communication skills.

The solution-focused tools will include vaginal rehydration and dilation products with vaginal lubrication. Tools will be distributed via mail by Session 2.

Interventions

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EMBRACE (Empowerment through Mind and Body Reclamation After Cancer Experience)

The intervention will be led by a registered nurse who holds certifications in sexuality counseling and sex education. The therapeutic, online environment will serve as a confidential, private space without judgement to encourage discussion to model safe sexuality communication for breast cancer survivors. The curriculum will include: i) psychoeducation: sexual body, mind-body connection, and sexual relationships; ii) physical-body education: physical response, safety, and navigating physical changes in survivorship; iii) solution-focused tools: tailored vaginal rehydration, lubrication, education; and iv) communication: internal, partnered, and patient-provider communication skills.

The solution-focused tools will include vaginal rehydration and dilation products with vaginal lubrication. Tools will be distributed via mail by Session 2.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Diagnosed with breast cancer (stages I - III) between ages 18 - 50
* Completed active treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation) within the last five years
* Can read/speak English
* Access to talk in quiet, safe environment for privacy
* On hormonal therapies (aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen)
* Currently partnered (i.e., in a relationship)

Exclusion Criteria

* Currently undergoing active treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation)
* More than five years have passed since completing active treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation)
* History of advanced breast cancer (stage IV) or a breast cancer recurrence
* Women without access to the internet
* Cannot read/speak in English
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Intimate Pathways Center for Sexual Health

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Arkansas

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Pearman D Parker, PhD, MPH, RN

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Arkansas

Locations

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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Juraskova I, Jarvis S, Mok K, Peate M, Meiser B, Cheah BC, Mireskandari S, Friedlander M. The acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy (phase I/II study) of the OVERcome (Olive Oil, Vaginal Exercise, and MoisturizeR) intervention to improve dyspareunia and alleviate sexual problems in women with breast cancer. J Sex Med. 2013 Oct;10(10):2549-58. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12156. Epub 2013 May 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23635341 (View on PubMed)

Wettergren L, Eriksson LE, Bergstrom C, Hedman C, Ahlgren J, Smedby KE, Hellman K, Henriksson R, Lampic C. Prevalence and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in young women following a cancer diagnosis - a population-based study. Acta Oncol. 2022 Oct;61(10):1165-1172. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2022.2112283. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36176069 (View on PubMed)

Marsh S, Borges VF, Coons HL, Afghahi A. Sexual health after a breast cancer diagnosis in young women: clinical implications for patients and providers. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2020 Dec;184(3):655-663. doi: 10.1007/s10549-020-05880-3. Epub 2020 Sep 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32968951 (View on PubMed)

Rash JK, Seaborne LA, Peterson M, Kushner DM, Sobecki JN. Patient reported improvement in sexual health outcomes following care in a sexual health clinic for women with cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Feb 16;31(3):171. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07635-4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36795172 (View on PubMed)

Esplen MJ, Wong J, Warner E, Toner B. Restoring Body Image After Cancer (ReBIC): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Mar 10;36(8):749-756. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.74.8244. Epub 2018 Jan 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29356610 (View on PubMed)

Mifsud A, Pehlivan MJ, Fam P, O'Grady M, van Steensel A, Elder E, Gilchrist J, Sherman KA. Feasibility and pilot study of a brief self-compassion intervention addressing body image distress in breast cancer survivors. Health Psychol Behav Med. 2021 May 21;9(1):498-526. doi: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1929236.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34104572 (View on PubMed)

Jun EY, Kim S, Chang SB, Oh K, Kang HS, Kang SS. The effect of a sexual life reframing program on marital intimacy, body image, and sexual function among breast cancer survivors. Cancer Nurs. 2011 Mar-Apr;34(2):142-9. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181f1ab7a.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20885305 (View on PubMed)

Panjari M, Bell RJ, Davis SR. Sexual function after breast cancer. J Sex Med. 2011 Jan;8(1):294-302. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02034.x. Epub 2010 Sep 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21199377 (View on PubMed)

Rosenberg SM, Vaz-Luis I, Gong J, Rajagopal PS, Ruddy KJ, Tamimi RM, Schapira L, Come S, Borges V, de Moor JS, Partridge AH. Employment trends in young women following a breast cancer diagnosis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2019 Aug;177(1):207-214. doi: 10.1007/s10549-019-05293-x. Epub 2019 May 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31147983 (View on PubMed)

Ruddy KJ, Greaney ML, Sprunck-Harrild K, Meyer ME, Emmons KM, Partridge AH. A qualitative exploration of supports and unmet needs of diverse young women with breast cancer. J Community Support Oncol. 2015 Sep;13(9):323-9. doi: 10.12788/jcso.0169.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26859752 (View on PubMed)

Vegunta S, Kuhle CL, Vencill JA, Lucas PH, Mussallem DM. Sexual Health after a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Addressing a Forgotten Aspect of Survivorship. J Clin Med. 2022 Nov 14;11(22):6723. doi: 10.3390/jcm11226723.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36431200 (View on PubMed)

Gorman JR, Drizin JH, Smith E, Flores-Sanchez Y, Harvey SM. Patient-Centered Communication to Address Young Adult Breast Cancer Survivors' Reproductive and Sexual Health Concerns. Health Commun. 2021 Nov;36(13):1743-1758. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2020.1794550. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32703034 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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276879

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id