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Women's Interventions for Sexual Health: WISH

Women's Interventions for Sexual Health: WISH, A Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05692960
Acronym
WISH
Enrollment
30
Registered
2023-01-20
Start date
2023-02-15
Completion date
2024-02-09
Last updated
2025-03-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Body Image, Libido; Loss, Aversion, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological

Keywords

breast cancer, vulvovaginal atrophy, libido, body image

Brief summary

The overall objective of this program of research is to improve sexual health outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Our team is developing a multi-component intervention for the four key predictors of sexual health in female cancer survivors: self-image, vulvovaginal tissue quality and symptoms, desire/energy, and relationship-partner concerns. This proposal begins the proof-of-concept pilot study in women with a history of breast cancer to deliver a multi-component intervention to improve vulvo-vaginal atrophy with a vaginal moisturizer, and sexual energy and self-image with a mind-body intervention that involves relaxation and subconscious suggestions with a hypnotic induction delivered via audio file. The primary outcome will be to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component intervention for sexual function. It is hypothesized that at least eighty percent of randomized participants will complete the study without differential withdraws from the control group.

Detailed description

Women's Interventions for Sexual Health (WISH), is a two-arm randomized clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component intervention addressing changes in body image, sexual desire, and vaginal dryness in thirty adult post-treatment breast cancer survivors. The study is eight weeks long and does not require any in-person visits. If a breast cancer survivor is determined eligible, they will be educated on the purpose, requirements, and procedures. If interested, they will be emailed the consent form and will schedule a virtual consent/baseline visit. After consent is obtained, the participant will be randomly assigned to a study arm, HRI (hypnotic relaxation intervention plus vaginal moisturizer) or VVA (vulvovaginal atrophy moisturizer only), given a study number, and educated on the use of Replens™ vaginal moisturizer. The participant will complete online surveys at the virtual baseline visit. Replens™ vaginal moisturizer will be sent to the participant's address and receipt of the moisturizer will be confirmed by study staff before the agreed upon week one start date. The participant will use the moisturizer every day during weeks one and two and every other day during weeks three through eight. Participants randomized to the HRI group will also receive an MP3 player with three hypnotic relaxation audio files and asked to complete a weekly practice log. Each hypnotic induction audio file will be used for two weeks, three times per week, for a total of six weeks of hypnosis. A second virtual visit will be held at two weeks to assess progress, adverse events and provide education to the HRI group. Check in phone calls will be scheduled for weeks four, six and eight. A link to online follow up surveys will be shared during weeks six and eight.

Interventions

OTHERHypnotic Relaxation Intervention (HRI)

HRI is a combination intervention (Replens™ vaginal moisturizer device and hypnotic relaxation behavioral intervention)

DEVICEVulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA)

VVA is a standard of care intervention (Replens™ vaginal moisturizer device)

Sponsors

Breast Cancer Research Foundation
CollaboratorOTHER
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

This is a two-arm, randomized clinical trial.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* History of breast cancer, stages I, II or III * Completed primary treatment (chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery) ≥3 months and ≤ 5 years prior to registration * May use concurrent adjuvant endocrine therapy or HER2-targeted therapy while on study * May use topical products (e.g., lidocaine) vaginally prior to penetrative vaginal sex * Ability to read and write English * Able to engage in sexual activity * Currently has a sexual partner Responds yes to Do you currently experience vaginal or vulvar dryness and/or pain with sexual activity? * Responds yes to at least one of the following questions: 1. Have you experienced negative changes in your body image since being diagnosed or treated for cancer? or 2. Have you experienced negative changes in your sexual desire since being diagnosed or treated for cancer?

Exclusion criteria

* Antidepressants are allowed if a person has been on them for 30 days prior to registration, and dose or treatment is not expected to change * History of sexual abuse * Psychiatric disorder such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or schizophrenia. (Defined per medical history and/or patient self-report) * Currently enrolled in another study that addresses sexual health (enrollment in other clinical trials will be allowed) * Use of oral, transdermal or vaginal estrogen is not allowed while on study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Screen Failure Rate (a Measure of Feasibility)Up to 30 days Recruitment to screeningThe number of women screened ineligible / number of individuals for whom full eligibility criteria were evaluated
Accrual Rate (a Measure of Feasibility)Up to 30 days Screening to consentThe number of participants who consented divided by the number eligible
Retention Rate/Acceptability (a Measure of Feasibility)Baseline through study completion, 8 weeksThe number of participants who completed the 8 weeks of the study divided by the number who consented.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)consent to week 8The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a 19-item scale that measures the following domains of female sexual functioning: desire (subscale scale = 1.2-6), arousal (subscale = 0-6), satisfaction (subscale = 0.8-6), orgasm (subscale = 0-6), lubrication (subscale = 0-6) and pain (subscale = 0-6). When the scores of these domains are added together, the sum represents an FSFI total score. The following subscales were examined in this study: FSFI total (subscale range = 2-36 where higher scores indicate better sexual function); lubrication (subscale = 0-6 where higher scores indicate greater lubrication), pain (subscale = 0-6 where lower scores indicate greater pain); and desire (subscale scale = 1.2-6 where higher scores indicate greater desire).
Breast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS)consent to week 8The Breast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS) is a 13-item scale that measures body change stress in women with breast cancer. Scores range from 0-65. Higher scores indicate greater body change stress.
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )consent to week 8The PROMIS SexF V2 is a 14-item scale that includes screener items and measures sexual activities, symptoms, functioning, and evaluation of sexual experiences. It includes the following domains: interest in sexual activity, lubrication, vaginal discomfort, clitoral discomfort, labial discomfort, orgasm and pleasure, and satisfaction. Raw scores were converted to t-scores where the mean(standard deviation) = 50(10) in the referent population. Higher scores indicate more of the thing being described. Researchers are encouraged to select the sexual function and satisfaction domains and items that are relevant to the specific sample being studied. In this study, the interest, satisfaction and lubrication subscales were used.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants were recruited through community recruitment efforts, social media, and ResearchMatch.org. The first participant was enrolled on February15, 2023 and the last on December 5, 2023.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Hypnotic Relaxation Intervention (HRI), Moisturizer and Self Hypnosis
The hypnotic relaxation intervention consists of three different audio files, each about 20 minutes in length. These three hypnotic inductions build upon each other. The first hypnotic induction audio focuses on relaxation, feelings of wellness, wholeness, strength, and confidence. The second hypnotic induction audio focuses more specifically on body image related to sexuality and being a sexual being. The third hypnotic induction audio focuses on sexual desire, passion, and energy. Each hypnotic induction will be used for two weeks, three times per week for a total of six weeks of hypnosis. The vaginal moisturizer component of this arm is the same as that described for the VVA study arm. Hypnotic Relaxation Intervention (HRI): HRI is a combination intervention (Replens™ vaginal moisturizer device and hypnotic relaxation behavioral intervention)
14
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer Only
This study arm might best be described as standard of care. Vulvovaginal dryness will be treated with a daily moisturizer for two weeks, then every other day for the remaining six weeks. Vaginal moisturizer will be applied at night, before sleep and after all sexual activity. Several moisturizers are available, including vaginal DHEA (IntraRosa®). Due to the need for reproducibility, we have decided to use one non-hormonal vaginal moisturizer, Replens™ moisture, which is a vaginal moisturizer consisting primarily of a purified water, glycerin, and mineral oil. Other ingredients included in the formulation are polycarbophyl, carbomer, homopolymer type B, hydrogenated palm oil glyceride, sorbic acid, sodium hydroxide. The moisturizing gel was determined to be a medical device for marketing by the FDA in 2010. It is non-hormonal (unlike vaginal DHEA) and therefore will be more likely to be acceptable by a broader range of oncology providers. Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA): VVA is a standard of care intervention (Replens™ vaginal moisturizer device)
16
Total30

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalVulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyHypnotic Relaxation Intervention (HRI), Moisturizer and Self Hypnosis
Age, Continuous55 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.84
56.94 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.83
52.79 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.82
Cancer stage at time of diagnosis
Stage I
15 Participants8 Participants7 Participants
Cancer stage at time of diagnosis
Stage II
13 Participants7 Participants6 Participants
Cancer stage at time of diagnosis
Stage III
2 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Education Level
Did not complete high school
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Education Level
Doctorate
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Education Level
High school graduate or GED
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Education Level
Master's degree
15 Participants9 Participants6 Participants
Education Level
Prefer not to answer
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Education Level
Some college
4 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Education Level
Undergraduate degree
9 Participants4 Participants5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
30 Participants16 Participants14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Marital status
Divorced
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Marital status
Married
29 Participants15 Participants14 Participants
Marital status
Other
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Marital status
Single, living with partner
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Marital status
Single, never married
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Marital status
Widowed
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
28 Participants14 Participants14 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
30 participants16 participants14 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
30 Participants16 Participants14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Asexual
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Bisexual
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Fluid
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Gay
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Lesbian
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Other not listed
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Pansexual
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Prefer not to disclose
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Queer
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sexual Orientation
Straight (heterosexual)
28 Participants14 Participants14 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 140 / 16
other
Total, other adverse events
8 / 147 / 16
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 140 / 16

Outcome results

Primary

Accrual Rate (a Measure of Feasibility)

The number of participants who consented divided by the number eligible

Time frame: Up to 30 days Screening to consent

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
All Individuals ContactedAccrual Rate (a Measure of Feasibility)30 Participants
Primary

Retention Rate/Acceptability (a Measure of Feasibility)

The number of participants who completed the 8 weeks of the study divided by the number who consented.

Time frame: Baseline through study completion, 8 weeks

Population: The number of participants who completed all 8 weeks of the study divided by the number who were randomized.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
All Individuals ContactedRetention Rate/Acceptability (a Measure of Feasibility)14 Participants
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyRetention Rate/Acceptability (a Measure of Feasibility)16 Participants
Primary

Screen Failure Rate (a Measure of Feasibility)

The number of women screened ineligible / number of individuals for whom full eligibility criteria were evaluated

Time frame: Up to 30 days Recruitment to screening

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
All Individuals ContactedScreen Failure Rate (a Measure of Feasibility)36 Participants
Secondary

Breast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS)

The Breast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS) is a 13-item scale that measures body change stress in women with breast cancer. Scores range from 0-65. Higher scores indicate greater body change stress.

Time frame: consent to week 8

Population: All participants who were assigned to the study arm.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
All Individuals ContactedBreast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS)BITS, Baseline30.71 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.91
All Individuals ContactedBreast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS)BITS, Week 819.50 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.85
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyBreast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS)BITS, Baseline35.00 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.54
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyBreast Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS)BITS, Week 828.81 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.67
Comparison: Effect sizes, Cohen's d, were calculated for both study arms using paired t-tests for the BITS. Means and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated.95% CI: [0.34, 1.63]
95% CI: [0.03, 1.01]
Secondary

Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a 19-item scale that measures the following domains of female sexual functioning: desire (subscale scale = 1.2-6), arousal (subscale = 0-6), satisfaction (subscale = 0.8-6), orgasm (subscale = 0-6), lubrication (subscale = 0-6) and pain (subscale = 0-6). When the scores of these domains are added together, the sum represents an FSFI total score. The following subscales were examined in this study: FSFI total (subscale range = 2-36 where higher scores indicate better sexual function); lubrication (subscale = 0-6 where higher scores indicate greater lubrication), pain (subscale = 0-6 where lower scores indicate greater pain); and desire (subscale scale = 1.2-6 where higher scores indicate greater desire).

Time frame: consent to week 8

Population: All participants who were assigned to the study arm.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Total, Baseline14.56 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.21
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Pain, Baseline2.26 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.58
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Lubrication, Baseline2.06 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.26
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Pain, Week 83.54 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.13
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Total, Week 822.35 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.21
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Lubrication, Week 83.90 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.71
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Desire, Week 83.17 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.09
All Individuals ContactedFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Desire, Baseline2.06 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.84
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Desire, Week 83.08 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.75
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Total, Baseline12.82 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.97
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Total, Week 821.44 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.34
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Lubrication, Baseline1.65 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.33
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Lubrication, Week 83.92 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.76
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Pain, Baseline1.80 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.54
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Pain, Week 83.20 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.23
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI)FSFI Desire, Baseline2.03 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.95
Comparison: Effect sizes, Cohen's d, were calculated for both study arms using paired t-tests for FSFI total, FSFI lubrication, FSFI pain, and FSFI desire subscales. Means and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated.95% CI: [0.62, 2.1]
95% CI: [0.86, 2.37]
95% CI: [0.49, 1.87]
95% CI: [1.02, 2.66]
95% CI: [0.16, 1.36]
95% CI: [0.24, 1.38]
95% CI: [0.46, 1.82]
95% CI: [0.55, 1.86]
Secondary

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )

The PROMIS SexF V2 is a 14-item scale that includes screener items and measures sexual activities, symptoms, functioning, and evaluation of sexual experiences. It includes the following domains: interest in sexual activity, lubrication, vaginal discomfort, clitoral discomfort, labial discomfort, orgasm and pleasure, and satisfaction. Raw scores were converted to t-scores where the mean(standard deviation) = 50(10) in the referent population. Higher scores indicate more of the thing being described. Researchers are encouraged to select the sexual function and satisfaction domains and items that are relevant to the specific sample being studied. In this study, the interest, satisfaction and lubrication subscales were used.

Time frame: consent to week 8

Population: All participants who were assigned to the study arm and completed PROMIS survey. The interest subscale was completed without missing data. Both the satisfaction and lubrication subscales begin with a screening question that asks In the past 30 days, did you have any type of sexual activity? A total of 5 participants responded no this item. For these subscales, total participants in HRI=13 and VVA=12.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
All Individuals ContactedPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Interest Baseline31.33 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.01
All Individuals ContactedPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Interest Week 840.34 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.1
All Individuals ContactedPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Lubrication Baseline32.68 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.11
All Individuals ContactedPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Lubrication Week 845.65 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.74
All Individuals ContactedPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Satisfaction Baseline38.23 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.49
All Individuals ContactedPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Satisfaction Week 844.37 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.14
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Satisfaction Baseline39.80 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.19
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Interest Baseline35.65 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.51
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Lubrication Week 846.11 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.63
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Interest Week 841.48 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.78
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Satisfaction Week 847.16 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.26
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), Moisturizer OnlyPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction V2.0 (PROMIS SexF V2 )PROMIS Lubrication Baseline34.28 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.23
Comparison: Effect sizes, Cohen's d, were calculated for both study arms using paired t-test for PROMIS interest, lubrication and satisfaction subscales. Means and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated.95% CI: [0.41, 1.75]
95% CI: [0.09, 1.18]
95% CI: [0.45, 1.89]
95% CI: [0.13, 1.44]
95% CI: [0.88, 2.67]
95% CI: [0.74, 2.5]

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 11, 2026