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Buhrman M, Hällström H, Fridén A, Kettis Moden E, Grahn G, Carlfjord M, Hjo C, Gasslander N, Bohm-Starke N, McCracken LM. Guided internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy for provoked vestibulodynia: A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pain 2024; 28:1185-1201. [PMID: 38429870 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) causes suffering in many women's lives due to its impact on relationships, sexual functioning and functioning in other key domains. OBJECTIVE Here, we report a randomized controlled trial conducted to examine whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a focus on values-based exposure, delivered online, benefits women with PVD. METHODS Participants (n = 88) were randomized to either guided online ACT for 10 weeks or a wait-list control group. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post treatment and 1 year later. Analyses were based on intention to treat using linear mixed models. RESULTS There were significant group differences on the primary outcomes, Female Sexual Index and Female Sexual Distress Scale, in favour of online ACT with moderate effect sizes. Differences were also found on several secondary outcomes and therapeutic process measures, all in favour of ACT. No differences were found at post-treatment for depression or anxiety. At the 1-year follow-up, results were maintained and a difference between baseline and follow-up was also found for depression. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE In summary, a relatively brief, guided, online version of ACT appears to produce benefits for women with PVD and related impacts on daily functioning. 50% to 60% of the women who participated in the treatment reliably improved in sexual functioning and distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Buhrman
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hanna Hällström
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Annika Fridén
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Kettis Moden
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Grahn
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maja Carlfjord
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Camille Hjo
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nils Gasslander
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nina Bohm-Starke
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lance M McCracken
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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2
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Dewitte M, Werner M, Ter Kuile M, Engman L, Flink I. A Network Analysis of the Fear Avoidance Model of Genital Pain. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38832844 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2352540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Using a novel data-driven network approach, this study aimed to examine the interconnection between the key elements of the Fear-Avoidance Model of female genital pain - sexual arousal, fear-avoidant cognitions, and motivational coping - and its associated factors to predict the intensity and frequency of genital pain across women over time. Network modeling allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the Fear-Avoidance model while capturing the dynamic features of genital pain. We estimated a cross-sectional and a temporal, contemporaneous, and between-persons network model on convenience-based data of 543 female students (mean age = 23.7 years, SD = 3.6) collected at three time points. Results showed that lubrication, pain catastrophizing, pain avoidance, fear-avoidance beliefs, sexual satisfaction, anxiety, and frequency of coital and non-coital sex predicted pain, with lubrication being the most consistent predictor across estimations. The network of women with recurrent genital pain showed a similar pattern as the network of the total sample, except that pain avoidance and fear-avoidance beliefs rather than pain catastrophizing predicted pain directly, and frequency of coital and non-coital sexual activities played a more prominent role. These results suggest that the main problem of genital pain centers around women not being sufficiently aroused during intercourse and inadequate ways of pain coping, which are critical targets of cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment and should be developed further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Dewitte
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University
| | - Marlene Werner
- Department of Sexology and Psychosomatic Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands
| | | | - Linnea Engman
- Behavioural Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
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Ekholm E, Engman L, Ter Kuile MM, Flink IK. Coping with provoked vestibulodynia in a relational context-A cluster analysis of coping patterns and their associations with relational cognitions and goals. Eur J Pain 2024. [PMID: 38822690 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a common pain condition, negatively impacting the relationships and sexual lives of sufferers. Women's coping behaviour has been associated with psychosexual outcomes, yet coping patterns in clinical PVD samples are unexplored, and it is not known how women's coping relates to their relational context. METHOD Women (N = 128) with PVD answered questionnaires about psychosexual function, pain coping (avoidance and endurance), relational- and pain catastrophizing, sexual goals and perceived partner responses. Cluster analysis was used to explore coping patterns; clusters were validated on measures of pain and psychosexual function and compared on catastrophizing, sexual goals and partner responses using multivariate analyses of variance. RESULTS The analysis yielded four clusters: endurance; combined high avoidance and endurance; avoidance; and combined low. The group with high levels of both avoidance and endurance coping displayed the worst psychosexual outcomes and high levels of pain- and relational catastrophizing, approach and avoidance goals and perceived negative partner responses. CONCLUSION There are distinct patterns of coping among women with PVD, and these coping patterns are associated with psychosexual outcomes and relational cognitions and goals, and perceived partner responses. Women who alternate between avoidance and endurance are more distressed and report worse psychosexual functioning. This pattern needs to be identified and addressed in the treatment of PVD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study extends previous findings on vulvar pain coping patterns to a clinical population of women with PVD. It is further the first study to address the relationship between relational variables, such as partner responses and relational catastrophizing and different coping patterns. Thus, the contribution of this study is the contextualizing of coping patterns among women with PVD. The results showed that a combined pattern of avoidance and endurance coping is associated with high distress, poor psychosexual outcomes, and indications of insufficient relational coping, highlighting the need for clinical assessment and intervention to target both women's individual coping patterns and their relational context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Ekholm
- School of Behavioral, Social, and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Engman
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Moniek M Ter Kuile
- Gynaecology Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ida K Flink
- School of Behavioral, Social, and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Social and Psychological Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
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Kaarbø MB, Danielsen KG, Helgesen ALO, Wojniusz S, Haugstad GK. A conceptual model for managing sexual pain with somatocognitive therapy in women with provoked vestibulodynia and implications for physiotherapy practice. Physiother Theory Pract 2023; 39:2539-2552. [PMID: 35815605 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2096516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Somatocognitive therapy is a multimodal physiotherapy treatment developed in the early 2000s to alleviate the burden of chronic pelvic pain. In recent years, somatocognitive therapy has been further developed to treat women with provoked vestibulodynia. This prevalent gynecological pain condition is a subgroup of chronic pelvic pain and the most common form of vulvodynia. Provoked vestibulodynia is a neglected multifactorial pain condition of unknown cause, adversely affecting women's sexual life, relation to their partners and their psychological health. Pain is located at the vulvar vestibule and is provoked by touch or pressure such as sexual intercourse. In the management of sexual pain, somatocognitive therapy combines bodily exploration, pain education, cognitive coping strategies and structured homework to improve sexual function and reduce pain. To support these processes, developing a sound therapeutic alliance with the patient is essential. The aim of this article is to provide a conceptual model for managing provoked vestibulodynia with somatocognitive therapy, including a theoretical rational for this treatment. We base our conceptual model on the biopsychosocial model, i.e., considering the complex interplay of biomedical, emotional/cognitive, psychosexual and interpersonal factors in provoked vestibulodynia management. In addition, implications for practice and a detailed description of somatocognitive therapy for provoked vestibulodynia will be provided, to allow replication in clinical practice and in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne Lise Ording Helgesen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Slawomir Wojniusz
- Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gro Killi Haugstad
- Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Unit for Psychosomatics/CL Outpatient Clinic for Adults, Acute Psychiatric Department, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
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Myrtveit‐Stensrud L, Haugstad GK, Rème SE, Schaller S, Groven KS. "It's all my fault": a qualitative study of how heterosexual couples experience living with vulvodynia. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023; 102:1378-1389. [PMID: 36879489 PMCID: PMC10540927 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vulvodynia, a chronic genital pain disorder with a high lifetime prevalence among women, has a significant negative impact on both women and their partners. Although there is a growing body of literature on the experiences of women with vulvodynia, there has been little research on the condition's implications for partners and romantic relationships. The aim of this study is to explore how heterosexual couples experience living with vulvodynia. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight Norwegian women diagnosed with vulvodynia by gynecologists were recruited with their partners (couples aged 19-32 years). Data was collected via individual semi-structured interviews and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Three main themes were identified in the analysis: Mysterious disorder, Social exclusion and Sexual expectations. The results show that the couples struggle with understanding the pain, as well as navigating their social and sexual lives. We discuss these findings in light of a new theoretical model: the fear-avoidance-endurance model of vulvodynia. CONCLUSIONS Heterosexual couples living with vulvodynia experience communication difficulties with partners, health professionals, and their social network. This sustains avoidance and endurance behavior, increasing pain and dysfunction over time and giving rise to feelings of powerlessness and loneliness. Social expectations regarding male and female sexuality also promote guilt and shame for both parties in couples affected by vulvodynia. Our results suggest that heterosexual couples living with vulvodynia, as well as health professionals treating them, should be helped to communicate more effectively in order to break vicious circles of maladaptive avoidance and endurance behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn Myrtveit‐Stensrud
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health TechnologyOslo Metropolitan UniversityOsloNorway
| | - Gro Killi Haugstad
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health TechnologyOslo Metropolitan UniversityOsloNorway
| | | | | | - Karen Synne Groven
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health TechnologyOslo Metropolitan UniversityOsloNorway
- Faculty of Health StudiesVID Specialized UniversityOsloNorway
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Engman L, Ter Kuile MM, Linton SJ, Ekholm E, Tuijnman-Raasveld CC, Flink IK. An initial proof of concept: A replicated single-case study of a CBT group treatment with partner involvement for vulvodynia. Cogn Behav Ther 2022; 51:503-519. [PMID: 35960277 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2022.2086907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Vulvodynia is common and has an immense impact on affected women and their partners. Psychological factors have been found to contribute to pain maintenance and exacerbation, and treatments addressing psychological factors have yielded positive results. This study employed a replicated single-case experimental design to examine a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group treatment with partner involvement in vulvodynia. Repeated measures of pain intensity related to pain-inflicting behaviors were collected weekly throughout baseline and treatment phases. Associated outcomes were measured pre-, post- and at two follow-up assessments. Participants were 18-45-year-old women, in a stable sexual relationship with a man, experiencing vulvodynia. Five women completed the treatment consisting of 10 group sessions and 3 couple sessions. Data were analyzed through visual inspection and supplementary nonparametric calculations. The study showed promising results of the CBT treatment in alleviating pain intensity in connection to specific pain-inflicting behavior since three out of five participants showed improvements. For the participants who improved, sexual function, pain catastrophizing, avoidance, and endurance behavior changed during treatment and were maintained at follow-ups. These results warrant further study of the CBT treatment, in larger, and controlled formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnéa Engman
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP), School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Moniek M Ter Kuile
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Steven J Linton
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP), School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Elin Ekholm
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP), School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Ida K Flink
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP), School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Maathz P, Flink IK, Engman L, Ekdahl J. Psychological Inflexibility as a Predictor of Sexual Functioning Among Women with Vulvovaginal Pain: A Prospective Investigation. PAIN MEDICINE 2020; 21:3596-3602. [PMID: 32186737 PMCID: PMC7770233 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective Persistent vulvovaginal pain affects many women and often has adverse effects on sexual functioning. Psychological inflexibility related to pain is associated with distress and functional disability across different types of chronic pain conditions, but little is known about the role of psychological inflexibility in vulvovaginal pain. The present study examines psychological inflexibility related to pain as a predictor of sexual functioning over time among women with vulvovaginal pain. Methods Questionnaires including measures of psychological inflexibility, pain severity, and sexual functioning were administered to female university students at two points in time. One hundred thirty women with vulvovaginal pain responded to the questionnaire at baseline and at follow-up after 10 months. A multiple regression model was used to explore psychological inflexibility and pain severity as predictors of sexual functioning at follow-up. Results Higher levels of psychological inflexibility and more severe pain at baseline were associated with poorer sexual functioning 10 months later. In analysis adjusting for baseline levels of sexual functioning, psychological inflexibility was the only significant predictor of sexual functioning at follow-up. Conclusions The findings provide preliminary evidence that psychological inflexibility is associated with sexual adjustment over time among women with vulvovaginal pain and point to the relevance of further examinations of the psychological inflexibility model in the context of vulvovaginal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernilla Maathz
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ida K Flink
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP), School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Linnea Engman
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP), School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Johanna Ekdahl
- Department of Psychology, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
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Dubé JP, Dawson SJ, Rosen NO. Emotion Regulation and Sexual Well-being Among Women: Current Status and Future Directions. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-020-00261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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9
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Carter A, Ford JV, Luetke M, Fu TCJ, Townes A, Hensel DJ, Dodge B, Herbenick D. "Fulfilling His Needs, Not Mine": Reasons for Not Talking About Painful Sex and Associations with Lack of Pleasure in a Nationally Representative Sample of Women in the United States. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1953-1965. [PMID: 31551190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although much research has examined correlates of pain during sex, far less research has examined why women have sex despite having pain and why they avoid telling their partner. AIM The purpose of our study was to examine women's reports of painful sex, including location of pain, whether they told their partner, factors associated with not disclosing their pain, and their reasons for not disclosing. METHODS We used data from the 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, a probability-based online survey of 2,007 individuals ages 14 to 49 years. We limited our sample to adult women who reported a sexual experience that was painful in the past year (n = 382; 23.2%). The primary outcome in quantitative analyses was whether women told their partner they experienced pain during sex. Associations with social identities and sexual health were explored via logistic regression. Those who did not tell their partner about painful sex were asked why; their accounts were coded and analyzed qualitatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Women were asked, "To what extent was this sexual experience physically painful for you?" Those who reported any pain were asked, "Did you tell your partner that you were in pain during sex?" and, if applicable, "Why didn't you tell your partner that you were in pain during sex?" RESULTS Of those reporting pain during sex, most said it was "a little painful" (81.6%) and occurred at the vaginal entrance (31.5%), inside the vagina (34.4%), or at or around the cervix (17.4%). Overall, 51.0% (n = 193/382) told their partner about their pain. Adjusting for age and wantedness, women who reported little or no event-level sexual pleasure had nearly 3-fold greater odds of not telling a partner about painful sex (adjusted odds ratio = 3.24; 95% CI, 1.43-7.37). Normalizing painful sex, considering pain to be inconsequential, prioritizing the partner's enjoyment, and gendered interactional pressures were the predominant themes in women's narratives. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Providers should ask about painful sex, if the woman continues intercourse despite pain, and how she feels about this as a means of assessing any sexual and social pressures. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS Strengths include the use of social theory in nationally representative survey research to examine how contextual factors influence sexual health, but experiences were largely limited to heterosexual interactions. CONCLUSION Many women do not discuss painful sex with their partners, lack of pleasure is significantly more likely among this group, and gender norms and cultural scripts are critical to understanding why. Carter A, Ford JV, Luetke M, et al. "Fulfilling His Needs, Not Mine": Reasons for Not Talking About Painful Sex and Associations with Lack of Pleasure in a Nationally Representative Sample of Women in the United States. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1953-1965.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Carter
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Jessie V Ford
- School of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maya Luetke
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Tsung-Chieh Jane Fu
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Ashley Townes
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Devon J Hensel
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Brian Dodge
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Debby Herbenick
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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