The role of sexual mindfulness in enhancing sexual well-being among breast cancer survivors: A randomized clinical trial.
Asefeh Shirdashtzadeh Kerdabadi, Zeinab Tavakol, Fereshteh Rasti Borujeni et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized clinical trial assessed sexual mindfulness training for sexual well-being among women with breast cancer attending health service centers in Shahrekord, Iran. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to eight weekly 90-minute training sessions or no planned intervention; sexual well-being was measured before, immediately after, and 3 months after training. Although scores rose within the intervention group immediately after training, the between-group difference was not significant at that point. At 3 months, scores were higher with training than control (66.42 ± 13.79 vs 51.92 ± 20.62; P < .001).
Key findings
- Immediately after training, intervention-group sexual well-being increased from 39.33 ± 25.56 to 56.17 ± 22.29 (P < .001), but the between-group comparison was not significant (P = .11).
- At 3 months, sexual well-being was higher in the intervention group than the control group (66.42 ± 13.79 vs 51.92 ± 20.62; P < .001).
Why it matters
Sexual well-being can be affected by breast cancer treatment, yet it may receive less attention than other treatment-related concerns. This trial suggests that structured sexual mindfulness training may improve reported well-being over follow-up, highlighting a potential supportive-care approach. The lack of a significant immediate between-group difference makes the later result particularly relevant to interpreting the timing of any observed benefit.
What to keep in mind
The trial was small, used convenience sampling at health service centers in one Iranian city, and the control group received no planned intervention or training.