A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment
Background and Objectives: The impact of gynaecological cancer and its treatments on sexual intimacy can be profound on female sexuality. However, very few registered clinical trials have addressed sexual intimacy among this cohort. Materials and Methods: This preliminary randomised control trial (R...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI
2024
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| Online Access: | https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/9920/1/medicina-60-02020.pdf |
| _version_ | 1824446514807701504 |
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| author | Banbury, Sam Tharmalingam, Hannah Lusher, Joanne Erridge, Simon Chandler, Chris |
| author_facet | Banbury, Sam Tharmalingam, Hannah Lusher, Joanne Erridge, Simon Chandler, Chris |
| author_sort | Banbury, Sam |
| collection | LMU |
| description | Background and Objectives: The impact of gynaecological cancer and its treatments on sexual intimacy can be profound on female sexuality. However, very few registered clinical trials have addressed sexual intimacy among this cohort. Materials and Methods: This preliminary randomised control trial (RCT) and content analysis assessed the effectiveness of a brief online mindful compassion group intervention adjunct with cannabis suppositories. Eighty-three participants aged between 18 and 50+ years who were at least six months post-cancer treatment were randomly allocated to one of four groups, depending on whether they were already using cannabis suppositories. These included a cannabis-only group (CO), a mindful-compassion group (MC), a combined mindful-compassion and cannabis suppositories group (COCM) and a care-as-usual group (CAU). Measurements of sexual function, sexual self-efficacy, mindful compassion, well-being and quality of life were taken at weeks 0, 4 and 12. Results: Sexual function, including arousal, lubrication and orgasms, improved for both the MC p = 0.002 and COCM p ≤ 0.001 groups; in addition, sexual pain was reduced in the COCM p = 0.008 and CO p ≤ 0.001 groups compared to the CAU and MC groups, where p ≥ 0.05. Feedback suggested that cannabis mediated the effects of mindful compassion and supported well-being, sexual self-efficacy, and quality of life. Participants also voiced a preference for cannabis suppositories when using dilators as part of their treatment and the use of sex toys instead of dilators, suggesting that dilators had negatively impacted their sexuality. Conclusions: These preliminary and exploratory outcomes look promising and provide a foundation for future research to develop varied healthcare options to improve mental health service delivery and quality of life for this cohort. |
| first_indexed | 2025-02-19T01:16:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | oai:repository.londonmet.ac.uk:9920 |
| institution | London Metropolitan University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-19T01:16:22Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publisher | MDPI |
| record_format | eprints |
| spelling | oai:repository.londonmet.ac.uk:99202024-12-09T10:43:59Z https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/9920/ A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment Banbury, Sam Tharmalingam, Hannah Lusher, Joanne Erridge, Simon Chandler, Chris 150 Psychology 610 Medicine & health Background and Objectives: The impact of gynaecological cancer and its treatments on sexual intimacy can be profound on female sexuality. However, very few registered clinical trials have addressed sexual intimacy among this cohort. Materials and Methods: This preliminary randomised control trial (RCT) and content analysis assessed the effectiveness of a brief online mindful compassion group intervention adjunct with cannabis suppositories. Eighty-three participants aged between 18 and 50+ years who were at least six months post-cancer treatment were randomly allocated to one of four groups, depending on whether they were already using cannabis suppositories. These included a cannabis-only group (CO), a mindful-compassion group (MC), a combined mindful-compassion and cannabis suppositories group (COCM) and a care-as-usual group (CAU). Measurements of sexual function, sexual self-efficacy, mindful compassion, well-being and quality of life were taken at weeks 0, 4 and 12. Results: Sexual function, including arousal, lubrication and orgasms, improved for both the MC p = 0.002 and COCM p ≤ 0.001 groups; in addition, sexual pain was reduced in the COCM p = 0.008 and CO p ≤ 0.001 groups compared to the CAU and MC groups, where p ≥ 0.05. Feedback suggested that cannabis mediated the effects of mindful compassion and supported well-being, sexual self-efficacy, and quality of life. Participants also voiced a preference for cannabis suppositories when using dilators as part of their treatment and the use of sex toys instead of dilators, suggesting that dilators had negatively impacted their sexuality. Conclusions: These preliminary and exploratory outcomes look promising and provide a foundation for future research to develop varied healthcare options to improve mental health service delivery and quality of life for this cohort. MDPI 2024-12-07 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/9920/1/medicina-60-02020.pdf Banbury, Sam, Tharmalingam, Hannah, Lusher, Joanne, Erridge, Simon and Chandler, Chris (2024) A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment. Medicina, 60(12) (2020). pp. 1-18. ISSN 1648-9144 http://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122020 10.3390/medicina60122020 10.3390/medicina60122020 |
| spellingShingle | 150 Psychology 610 Medicine & health Banbury, Sam Tharmalingam, Hannah Lusher, Joanne Erridge, Simon Chandler, Chris A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| title | A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| title_full | A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| title_fullStr | A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| title_short | A preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| title_sort | preliminary investigation into the use of cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion for improving sexual function among women following gynaecological cancer treatment |
| topic | 150 Psychology 610 Medicine & health |
| url | https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/9920/1/medicina-60-02020.pdf |
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