Study protocol

ProsCan for Couples: Randomised controlled trial of a couples-based sexuality intervention for men with localised prostate cancer who receive radical prostatectomy

Suzanne K Chambers^1,2,3 , Leslie Schover⁴ , Kim Halford² , Samantha Clutton⁵ , Megan Ferguson¹ , Louisa Gordon⁶ , RA Gardiner^3,7 , Stefano Occhipinti² and Jeff Dunn^1,8,9

¹Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

²School of Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

³National Executive, Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration, Melbourne, Australia

⁴Department of Behavioral Science, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA

⁵Cancer Counselling Service, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

⁶Cancer and Population Health Studies, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia

⁷Department of Surgery, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

⁸School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

⁹School of Public Health, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia

author email corresponding author email

BMC Cancer 2008, 8:226doi:10.1186/1471-2407-8-226

Published:	8 August 2008

Abstract

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the Western world. The most substantial long term morbidity from this cancer is sexual dysfunction with consequent adverse changes in couple and intimate relationships. Research to date has not identified an effective way to improve sexual and psychosocial adjustment for both men with prostate cancer and their partners. As well, the efficacy and cost effectiveness of peer counselling as opposed to professional models of service delivery has not yet been empirically tested. This paper presents the design of a three arm randomised controlled trial (peer vs. nurse counselling vs. usual care) that will evaluate the efficacy of two couples-based sexuality interventions (ProsCan for Couples: Peer support vs. nurse counselling) on men's and women's sexual and psychosocial adjustment after surgical treatment for localised prostate cancer; in addition to cost-effectiveness.

Methods/design

Seventy couples per condition (210 couples in total) will be recruited after diagnosis and before treatment through urology private practices and hospital outpatient clinics and randomised to (1) usual care; (2) eight sessions of peer-delivered telephone support with DVD education; and (3) eight sessions of oncology nurse-delivered telephone counselling with DVD education. Two intervention sessions will be delivered before surgery and six over the six months post-surgery. The intervention will utilise a cognitive behavioural approach along with couple relationship education focussed on relationship enhancement and helping the couple to conjointly manage the stresses of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Participants will be assessed at baseline (before surgery) and 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Outcome measures include: sexual adjustment; unmet sexuality supportive care needs; attitudes to sexual help seeking; psychological adjustment; benefit finding and quality of life.

Discussion

The study will provide recommendations about the efficacy of peer support vs. nurse counselling to facilitate better sexual and couple adjustment after prostate cancer as well as recommendations on whether the interventions represent efficient health service delivery.

Trial Registration

ACTRN12608000358347