Virtual mindfulness program to improve sexual health after breast or gynecologic cancer
Virtual Mindful After Cancer Intervention to Promote Sexual Health for Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors
An online mindfulness program to help breast and gynecologic cancer survivors manage sexual pain, low desire, body image, and intimacy problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project offers a virtual mindfulness program called Mindful After Cancer designed for breast and gynecologic cancer survivors who are struggling with sexual concerns. The program is delivered online and includes guided mindfulness practices, education about sexual changes after cancer, and strategies to address pain, body image, and relationship challenges. The R34 will use a pragmatic approach to try the program in routine care settings, enrolling survivors who report sexual distress and collecting self-reported outcomes on sexual function, pain, and well-being. If promising, the team plans to refine the program for wider dissemination so more survivors can access it from home.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Breast or gynecologic cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment and are experiencing sexual pain, low desire, poor body image, or relationship difficulties.
Not a fit: People currently undergoing active cancer treatment, those without sexual concerns, or individuals who cannot participate in online group or home-based sessions may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a convenient, evidence-based online option to reduce sexual distress and improve intimacy and body image after cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Mindfulness-based approaches have shown benefits for sexual and psychosexual concerns and early work on this virtual program showed good acceptability, but larger pragmatic testing is new.
Where this research is happening
Corvallis, United States
- Oregon State University — Corvallis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorman, Jessica Lynn Rickard — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Gorman, Jessica Lynn Rickard
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.