"Walking Together with Love": a Couples-Based Intervention for Sexual and Relationship Distress in Cancer Patients
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-49
SponsorYanfei Jin
About this trial
Cancer diagnosis and treatment often result in significant changes in body appearance, sexual functioning, and relationship quality, leading to distress for both patients and their partners. To address these challenges, a comprehensive intervention program called "Walking Together with Love" (WTL) has been developed.
This intervention focuses on three key areas: improving body image (supporting patients in accepting physical changes after cancer treatment), enhancing psychological flexibility (enabling patients and partners to openly and positively manage difficult experiences), and strengthening dyadic coping skills (promoting effective communication and emotional support between partners). The primary aim of this intervention is to reduce sexual and relationship distress among cancer patients and their partners.
WTL is a six-week program consisting of weekly 90- to 120-minute sessions delivered in a hybrid format (both online and offline). Sessions incorporate psychoeducational presentations, group discussions, professional guidance, and structured home assignments. Both patients and their partners participate together, collaboratively working toward improving relationship quality and overall well-being.
Cancer patients, their partners, and healthcare providers are encouraged to learn more about this research project and explore its potential benefits in improving quality of life for couples affected by cancer.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
A Comprehensive Intervention to Improve Sexual and Relationship Well-being for Cancer Patients and Their Partners
BehavioralThis intervention targets three core areas: Body Image Improvement - Supports patients in understanding and accepting physical changes resulting from cancer treatments, fostering positive attitudes toward body image and self-esteem. Psychological Flexibility Enhancement - Utilizes ACT-based strategies to help participants acknowledge and adaptively manage difficult emotions, thoughts, and experiences related to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Dyadic Coping Skill Training - Provides structured skill-building exercises to strengthen mutual support mechanisms, enhance effective partner communication, and promote collaborative problem-solving when facing cancer-related stressors. The intervention consists of six weekly sessions (90-120 minutes each), delivered in a hybrid format (virtual and in-person) to maximize accessibility. Each session integrates psychoeducational presentations, facilitated discussions, guided experiential exercises.
Treatment groups
100 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Walking Together with LoveExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Sexual and Relationship Distress
The Sexual and Relationship Distress Scale (SaRDS) is used to measured the Sexual and Relationship Distress .The SaRDS is a 30-item, 14-factor patient-reported outcome measure of individual and relationship distress within the context of sexual dysfunction14. All items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale ("not at all true" to "completely true"). The total scores range from 0 to 180 and reflect the standard of individual and relationship distress within the context of sexual dysfunction, with high values indicating more distress. In the original version of the study, the SaRDS showed good psychometric properties, and the subsequent studies also reported the strong internal consistency of the SaRDS (Cronbach alpha = .95 for the total score with individual sub-scales ranging from .70-.96).
Time frame
3 months after intervention2
Relationship Satisfaction
The Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI-16) is a validated measure of relationship satisfaction, assessing perceived intimacy, emotional closeness, and overall satisfaction within the relationship. Higher scores indicate greater relationship satisfaction.
Time frame
3 months after interventionSecondary outcomes
1
Body Image
The Body Image Scale (BIS) will be used to assess body image concerns among cancer patients. The BIS is a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire designed to evaluate body image distress, self-consciousness, and changes in body perception following cancer treatment. Higher scores indicate greater body image disturbance.
Time frame
3 months after intervention2
Psychological Flexibility
Measurement Tool: The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) will be used to assess psychological flexibility. The AAQ-II is a validated 7-item self-report measure that evaluates experiential avoidance and the ability to accept thoughts and emotions while engaging in values-based actions. Higher scores indicate greater psychological inflexibility, while lower scores reflect higher psychological flexibility.
Time frame
3 months after intervention3
Dyadic Coping
Measurement Tool: The Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) will be used to assess dyadic coping strategies among cancer patients and their partners. The DCI is a validated self-report questionnaire that evaluates how partners support each other in managing stress, communicate emotions, and engage in joint coping efforts. Higher scores indicate more effective dyadic coping and greater relationship resilience.
Time frame
3 months after interventionLocations
Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Yanfei Jin
Lead sponsor
Central South University
Sponsor institution
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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