A Pilot Study of an Intimacy-Enhancing Couples Therapy for Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer and Their Partners

Trial Information

A Pilot Study of an Intimacy-Enhancing Couples Therapy for Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer and Their Partners

OBJECTIVES:

- Determine the feasibility of Intimacy-Enhancing Couples Therapy (IECT) for patients
with advanced or recurrent prostate cancer and their partners.

- Compare the effect of IECT vs usual care on patients' and their partners' level of
global psychological distress.

- Compare the effect of IECT vs usual care on relationship intimacy in these
participants.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, controlled, pilot, multicenter study. Patients are stratified
according to marital distress based on partners' scores on the Abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment
Scale (high [< 21] vs low [≥ 21]). Patients and their partners are randomized to 1 of 2
arms.

- Arm I: Patients and their partners receive Intimacy-Enhancing Couples Therapy over 6
weeks comprising the following four 90-minute sessions: the Story of Cancer;
Understanding the Couple, Ways of Relating and Key Influences; Intimacy; and Coping,
Support, and Adaptation. Patients and their partners complete treatment satisfaction
questionnaires after completion of study intervention.

- Arm II: Patients and their partners receive standard psychosocial care. All
participants complete questionnaires assessing psychological distress, intimacy,
communication patterns, and overall relationship adjustment/satisfaction at baseline
and at 1 month after completion of study intervention.