'ReConnect': a model for working with persistent pain patients on improving sexual relationships.

British Journal of Pain
Sarah EdwardsKatherine Herron

Abstract

Many individuals with persistent pain experience difficulties with sexual function which are exacerbated by avoidance and anxiety. Due to embarrassment or shame, sexual activity may not be identified as a goal for pain management programmes (PMPs). In addition, clinicians can feel that they lack skills and confidence in addressing these issues. We sought to develop a biopsychosocial model for helping patients return to sexual activity and manage relationships in the context of pain management, known as 'ReConnect'. The model amalgamates well-established methods from pain management and sex therapy to guide multidisciplinary team members. ReConnect comprises three components: (1) 'cognitive and myth-busting', (2) 'sensations and feelings' and (3) 'action-experimentation'. We collected self-report data from 281 women and 92 men from our specialist PMP for chronic abdomino-pelvic. pain, including questions measuring interference with and avoidance of sex due to pain, and the Multi-dimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ) to measure anxiety about sexual activity. The results show statistically significant improvements for anxiety, avoidance of sex and sexual interference. Using the ReConnect model to structure clinical work, pain ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 13, 2021·Pain Medicine : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine·Haydee KatzAlice Shires

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
cognitive behavioural therapy

Software Mentioned

ReConnect

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