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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of vaginal dilator use on female sexual function, self-compassion level, and quality of life in women undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Method: The study was conducted using a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted with 80 female patients between June 1, 2025, and February 1, 2026. Data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI), and EORTC QLQ-C30. Participants were evaluated at three different time points (week 1, week 4, and week 12).
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of vaginal dilator use on female sexual function, self-compassion level, and quality of life in women undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Method: The study was conducted using a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted with 80 female patients between June 1, 2025, and February 1, 2026. Data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI), and EORTC QLQ-C30. Participants were evaluated at three different time points (week 1, week 4, and week 12).
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaginal dilator | Experimental | All participants received the same intervention (vaginal dilator use), and outcomes were evaluated at multiple time points (1st, 4th, and 12th weeks) to assess changes over time. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaginal dilator | Other | Patients used the vaginal dilator for 12 weeks. |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Participant Information Form | The Patient Diagnostic Form used in the study was developed by the researchers in line with the literature and consists of a total of 17 questions. The form consists of three sections: (1) sociodemographic characteristics (age, marital status, education, employment status, etc.), (2) clinical characteristics related to treatment (types of treatment applied, number of brachytherapy sessions and follow-up period), and (3) gynecological and sexual health characteristics (surgical history, menopausal status, vaginal dryness, sexual activity and sexual changes after treatment). In addition, the level of knowledge about vaginal dilator use and perceived contribution were also evaluated. | baseline |
| Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form | The Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) is a self-report scale developed based on theoretical model of self-compassion, assessing an individual's compassionate attitude towards themselves. The scale consists of items representing self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, as well as their opposing dimensions (self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification) The short form comprises 11 items, and participants rate their level of agreement with each statement on a 5-point Likert scale. | first week |
| Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form | The Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) is a self-report scale developed based on theoretical model of self-compassion, assessing an individual's compassionate attitude towards themselves. The scale consists of items representing self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, as well as their opposing dimensions (self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification). The short form comprises 11 items, and participants rate their level of agreement with each statement on a 5-point Likert scale. | fourth week |
| Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form | The Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) is a self-report scale developed based on theoretical model of self-compassion, assessing an individual's compassionate attitude towards themselves. The scale consists of items representing self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, as well as their opposing dimensions (self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification) . The short form comprises 11 items, and participants rate their level of agreement with each statement on a 5-point Likert scale. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
The study population is female because it consists of cervical cancer patients.
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| DİLEK YILDIRIM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. | Istanbul Aydın University | Study Director |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul Aydin University, Besyol Mahallesi, Inonu Caddesi No: 38 Kucukcekmece, Istanbul, Türkiye | Istanbul | Istanbul | 34295 | Turkey (Türkiye) |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D002583 | Uterine Cervical Neoplasms |
| D012735 | Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D014594 | Uterine Neoplasms |
| D005833 | Genital Neoplasms, Female |
| D014565 | Urogenital Neoplasms |
| D009371 | Neoplasms by Site |
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This study was designed as a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest interventional study without a control group. All participants received the same intervention (vaginal dilator use), and outcomes were evaluated at multiple time points (1st, 4th, and 12th weeks) to assess changes over time. The model focuses on within-subject comparisons to determine the effect of the intervention on sexual function, self-compassion, and quality of life.
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| twelfth week |
| Female Sexual Function Index | The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), is a 19-item multidimensional scale that assesses female sexual function in a multidimensional way. It consists of six sub-dimensions (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). Sub-dimension scores are multiplied by specified coefficients to obtain a total score (ranging from 2 to 36); a higher score indicates better sexual function. | first week |
| Female Sexual Function Index | The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), is a 19-item multidimensional scale that assesses female sexual function in a multidimensional way. It consists of six sub-dimensions (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). Sub-dimension scores are multiplied by specified coefficients to obtain a total score (ranging from 2 to 36); a higher score indicates better sexual function. | fourth week |
| Female Sexual Function Index | The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), is a 19-item multidimensional scale that assesses female sexual function in a multidimensional way. It consists of six sub-dimensions (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). Sub-dimension scores are multiplied by specified coefficients to obtain a total score (ranging from 2 to 36); a higher score indicates better sexual function. | twelfth week |
| The EORTC QLQ-C30 | The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a 30-item scale that assesses quality of life in cancer patients and consists of functional, symptom, and general health/quality of life subscales. The functional and symptom scales are evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale, while the general health scale uses a 7-point scale. Scores are standardized on a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC guidelines, with higher scores in both functional and general health indicating a better quality of life. | first week |
| The EORTC QLQ-C30 | The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a 30-item scale that assesses quality of life in cancer patients and consists of functional, symptom, and general health/quality of life subscales. The functional and symptom scales are evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale, while the general health scale uses a 7-point scale. Scores are standardized on a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC guidelines, with higher scores in both functional and general health indicating a better quality of life. | fourth week |
| The EORTC QLQ-C30 | The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a 30-item scale that assesses quality of life in cancer patients and consists of functional, symptom, and general health/quality of life subscales. The functional and symptom scales are evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale, while the general health scale uses a 7-point scale. Scores are standardized on a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC guidelines, with higher scores in both functional and general health indicating a better quality of life. | twelfth week |
| D009369 |
| Neoplasms |
| D002577 | Uterine Cervical Diseases |
| D014591 | Uterine Diseases |
| D005831 | Genital Diseases, Female |
| D052776 | Female Urogenital Diseases |
| D005261 | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications |
| D000091642 | Urogenital Diseases |
| D000091662 | Genital Diseases |