M-gCBT for Women With Provoked Localized Vulvodynia

N/ACompletedNCT02919813

Oregon Health and Science University31 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to learn more about Mindfulness based Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (M-gCBT) as a treatment for Provoked Localized Vulvodynia (PLV). M-gCBT is a counseling technique that has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety with other medical conditions, including chronic pain conditions. The investigators wish to see if participation in M-gCBT course will help reduce anxiety, fear, and pain in women with PLV greater than education alone. Both techniques use a group setting including other women with PLV. "Mindfulness-Based Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Women with Localized Vulvodynia" is a study designed to learn more about the use of mindfulness based group cognitive behavior therapy for PLV pain and anxiety over education alone. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups: mindfulness based cognitive behavior therapy or group education seminars.

M-gCBT is a type of counseling that teaches women to have more control over their pain. Educational seminars teach women about the different aspects of PLV that affect emotional and physical health. Both groups will be given a binder containing course material at the first session and homework at each session that you will be asked to complete. The group education seminars will include an informational video clip reviewing an aspect of PLV and sexuality and will be followed by a group discussion facilitated by an instructor. Each session will involve a teacher and a small group of 6 to 12 women with PLV. Additionally, women in both groups will be asked to perform a weekly test to measure pain and to complete a daily diary.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 55 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Reported dyspareunia for at least 6 months in non-pregnant, healthy women over aged 18-45 years old meeting Friedrich's criteria for PLV.51 2. Qtip Test51-52, 54 mean verbal rating score of ≥4/10 in 4 of 6 defined points of the vestibule (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 o'clock), and have received a Qtip Test score of verbal ≤ 2/10 for the labia majora and minora, intra labial sulcus, and perineum. 3. Ability to insert a regular Tampax® tampon 4. Baseline tampon test pain score ≥80mm 5. Phone access 6. Lives within 60 miles with reliable transportation Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy 2. Active counseling or mindfulness training (within 6 months of study) 3. Any other clinical reason for dyspareunia (endometriosis pain, chronic pelvic pain, vulvar dermatoses such as psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, etc). 4. Impaired cognition or disruptive behavior not conducive to group dynamic 5. Planned long term travel or surgery during study period 6. Unable or unwilling to complete baseline assessments or agree to be randomized. 7. Axis 2 diagnosis, chronic substance abuse, suicidality or disruptive to group dynamic 8. Non-English speaking

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Tampon Test

The change from baseline in pain measured by the Tampon Test at 6 months. The tampon test is a validated tool used to measure (vulva) vestibular skin pain by having participants insert and remove a tampon. Participants will be asked to rate their pain along a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale on a scale of 0 (No pain) to 10 (Pain as bad as you can imagine). This test will occur at baseline and 6 months follow up.