# Addressing Sexual Concerns in Breast Cancer Survivors: RCT of a Novel Couple-Based Intervention

> **NIH NIH R01** · RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR · 2021 · $620,234

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The majority of breast cancer survivors experience sexual concerns impacting their sexual function. These
concerns can have long-term negative consequences on survivors’ relationships and psychological well-being.
Yet unlike other aspects of quality of life (QOL) that tend to improve over time for breast cancer survivors,
sexual concerns do not typically resolve without intervention. Addressing breast cancer survivors’ sexual
concerns and improving their sexual function is thus critical to their long-term adjustment. However, there is a
lack of empirically supported interventions targeting sexual function in breast cancer survivors. Because of the
integral role that the couple relationship plays in women’s sexual function, an intervention that systematically
involves the partner is likely to be an effective approach for addressing sexual concerns and improving survivor
outcomes. Previously, we demonstrated that a 4-session couple-based Intimacy Enhancement (IE)
intervention delivered via telephone improved sexual and relationship outcomes for couples facing colorectal
cancer. After adapting the IE intervention to meet the needs of breast cancer survivors, data from a pilot RCT
in 29 breast cancer survivors and their partners suggest the IE intervention to be feasible and acceptable, 2ith
promising effect sizes on patient sexual function and related patient and partner outcomes. The main objective
of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy of the novel couple-based IE intervention in 120 breast cancer
survivors and their intimate partners. Couples will be randomized to receive either the IE intervention or to a
previously tested attention control condition (Living Healthy Together; LHT). Assessments will be conducted
with patients and partners at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3- and 6-months follow up. The primary aim
(Aim 1) is to examine whether the IE intervention leads to a significantly greater improvement in patient sexual
function compared to the LHT intervention. The two secondary aims are to evaluate whether the IE intervention
leads to significantly greater improvements in partner sexual function (Aim 2a) and in patient and partner
relationship intimacy and quality and psychological distress (Aim 2b), compared to the LHT condition. We will
also examine whether treatment effects on patient sexual function are mediated by sexual communication and
self-efficacy for coping with sexual concerns (Aim 3). Finally, to inform potential next steps in intervention
development, an exploratory aim is to examine whether patient age or race/ethnicity moderate IE intervention
effects on patient sexual function. This study will be the first randomized controlled trial of a couple-based
intervention targeting sexual function for breast cancer survivors, as well as the first to first to evaluate
mechanisms by which a psychosocial intervention improves sexual function for women with cancer. Findings of
this study could h...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242756
- **Project number:** 5R01CA222124-04
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Barsky Reese
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $620,234
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-04 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242756

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242756, Addressing Sexual Concerns in Breast Cancer Survivors: RCT of a Novel Couple-Based Intervention (5R01CA222124-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242756. Licensed CC0.

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