Trial results for the "Mindful After Cancer" study, focusing on sexual health after cancer, were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-06-25, with 22 participants completing the study.
Background
Breast and gynecologic cancers and their treatments can significantly impact a survivor's sexual health and body image. These concerns often persist long after active treatment, affecting quality of life. Mindfulness-based therapies have shown promise in addressing psychological distress, but specific adaptations for sexual and body image concerns in cancer survivors, particularly delivered via videoconference for accessibility, are needed. This study aimed to adapt and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of such an intervention.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 22 participants, including survivors of Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer. The primary objectives were to adapt a mindfulness-based therapy program (Mindful After Cancer, MAC) to a videoconference format and assess its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on sexual and body image concerns among participants.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements related to the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the Mindful After Cancer intervention:
- Feasibility/ Enrollment in the Study: 78.6 Percentage enrolled of eligible for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Feasibility/ Retention in the Study: 22 Participants were retained in the study for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Feasibility/ Retention in the Intervention: 18 Participants were retained in the intervention for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Acceptability of the Intervention: A mean score of 75.5 (Standard Deviation 22.9) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Change From Baseline Interest in Sexual Activity at 1 Month:
- A mean score of 4.4 (Standard Deviation 1.4) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Another mean score of 5.0 (Standard Deviation 1.7) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Change From Baseline Satisfaction With Sex Life at 1 Month:
- A mean score of 35 (Standard Deviation 6.8) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Another mean score of 37.3 (Standard Deviation 7.4) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Change From Baseline Self-efficacy at 1 Month: A mean score of 0.06 (95% Confidence Interval not provided) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Change From Baseline Body Image at 1 Month:
- A mean score of 15.2 (Standard Deviation 7.1) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Another mean score of 13.1 (Standard Deviation 8.2) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
- Change From Baseline Body Appreciation at 1 Month: A mean score of 3.2 (Standard Deviation 0.7) on a scale was observed for the Mindful After Cancer group.
What this means
The posted results indicate that the videoconference-adapted Mindful After Cancer intervention demonstrated strong feasibility and acceptability among breast and gynecologic cancer survivors. An enrollment rate of 78.6% of eligible participants and high retention rates (22 participants in the study, 18 in the intervention) suggest that the program is practical to implement. The mean acceptability score of 75.5 further supports its positive reception. Preliminary data also show changes in scores related to interest in sexual activity, satisfaction with sex life, self-efficacy, body image, and body appreciation at 1 month, suggesting potential benefits. These findings support the continued exploration of mindfulness-based therapies delivered remotely for addressing sexual health and body image concerns in cancer survivors.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT04559854, titled "Mindful After Cancer: A Mindfulness-based Therapy Intervention for Sexual Health After Cancer", were posted on 2025-06-25 on clinicaltrials.gov.