Online-based interventions for sexual health among individuals with cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Online interventions have the advantages of being widely available, accessible, comfortable, cost effective, and they can provide tailored information and support. Despite these benefits, the effects of specifically devised online intervention programs for cancer patients’ sexual problems are somewhat unclear. The aim of this review is to describe online-based interventions and to assess their effects on sexual health among cancer survivors and/or their partners. METHODS: We investigated the effects of online sexual interventions among individuals with cancer or their partners. Among these, we considered 4 eligible articles. RESULTS: Despite the diversity of contents of the interventions, the identified modes of delivery among most of the interventions were as follows: education, interactive methods, cognitive behavior therapy, tailored information, and self-monitoring. Methods of monitoring the interventions, including the utilization of the web site and post-treatment program rating, were reported. All the online intervention programs incorporated a focus on physical, psychological, cognitive, and social aspects of sexual health. Significant effects on patient sexual function and interest and the psychological aspect of sexual problems were reported. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that online-based interventions would be effective in improving the psycho-sexual problems of cancer survivors and their partners.