Pre-Rehabilitation for Female Patients Undergoing Pelvic Radiotherapy
Indiana University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of adding pre-rehabilitation pelvic health physical therapy to standard of care radiation therapy treatment plan for female patients who have been diagnosed with cervical, vaginal, vulvar, uterine, or anal cancer and are a candidate for curative pelvic radiation with external beam. Participants will receive education on using a vaginal dilator for use during treatment and complete questionnaires looking at pain and sexual function.
Description
Because of the increasing survivorship rate, there is a need for research addressing the post-treatment side effects of pelvic pain and dyspareunia, due to the significant impact these side effects have on patients' quality of life. Current best practice from trained pelvic health physical therapists for addressing dyspareunia and pelvic pain due to vaginal stenosis after radiation therapy, is vaginal dilation. Vaginal dilators are cone shaped durable medical equipment that are inserted into the vagina with lubricant, to assist in patency of the vaginal canal and stretching of the pelvic floor…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Female 2. ≥ 18 years old at the time of informed consent 3. Ability to provide written informed consent and HIPAA authorization 4. Primary diagnosis of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, uterine, or anal cancer 5. Candidate for curative pelvic radiation with external beam, with or without brachytherapy, per radiation oncologist's discretion Notes: * Can have prior and/or current modalities of treatment to address diagnosis including surgery and chemotherapy * Can receive radiation at any facility provided patient is able to perform Physical Therapy visits at IUH North/Schwarz…
Interventions
- BehavioralPelvic health therapy
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and VAS Pain Scale Questionnaires, Physical Therapy Evaluation including Pelvic Floor Muscle Examination, Dilator Education
- DeviceDilator feasability
Patient Adherence to Vaginal Dilation Questionnaire
Locations (3)
- IU Health WestAvon, Indiana
- IU Health Schwarz Cancer CenterCarmel, Indiana
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolis, Indiana