This is a study designed to learn more about the use of an online remote education and mindfulness practice program for the pain and anxiety associated with provoked localized vulvodynia.
The purpose of study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a remotely delivered mindfulness intervention combined with education for the treatment of the pain and distress associated with Provoked Localized Vulvodynia (PLV). Women with PLV will be randomized to either an app- based mindfulness program (Headspace®) with online education or online education only. Pain and sexual distress with be evaluated through a number of measures. The primary outcome of the study will be the change in distress relating to sexual activity over the 8-week intervention period, which will be measured by a change (reduction) in the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). Participants will additionally perform a weekly Tampon Test and fill out a weekly survey regarding their perceived pain as well as the frequency of use and completion of the weekly education materials
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
46
Women in the mindfulness + education group will be asked to meditate daily, 10 minutes a day for the first 4 weeks with the option to increase their time to 20 minutes daily during the second 4 weeks. Women will also receive educational materials each week addressing different themes such as; "Introduction and Overview", "The Vulva", "Provoked Localized Vulvodynia (PLV)", "Treatment of PVL", "The Pelvic Floor", "Sexuality", "Chronic Pain", and "Promoting Sexual Health".
Women will also receive educational materials each week addressing different themes such as; "Introduction and Overview", "The Vulva", "Provoked Localized Vulvodynia (PLV)", "Treatment of PVL", "The Pelvic Floor", "Sexuality", "Chronic Pain", and "Promoting Sexual Health".
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, United States
Change in Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) at 8 weeks
The change in distress relating to sexual activity, measured by a change in the FSDS from baseline (study enrollment) survey. Participants will complete a Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) survey to rate their feelings associated with sexual activities. Survey questions are on a number scale of 0 (Never) to 4 (Always). The FSDS surveys will be completed at baseline and 8 weeks after study enrollment.
Time frame: Baseline & 8 weeks
Change in Tampon Test Pain Scores at 8 weeks
The change in tampon test pain scores (a validated tool that measures introital pain). 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 8 weeks after enrollment.
Time frame: Baseline & 8 weeks
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