Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40300010›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

An internet-delivered psychoeducational intervention (Fex-Can 2.0) targeting fertility-related distress and sexual dysfunction in young adults diagnosed with cancer: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial with an internal pilot phase.

Rebecca Skog, Erik M G Olsson, Jessica R Gorman, Sharon L Bober, Claudia Lampic, Lena Wettergren

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Navigating Long-Term Co-Creative Research With Young Adults Diagnosed With Cancer: A Qualitative Study.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Rebecca SkogDepartment of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-4555-1274
Erik M G OlssonDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-1591-7407
Jessica R GormanCollege of Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America.
Sharon L BoberDepartment of Supportive Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Claudia LampicDepartment of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lena WettergrenDepartment of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-1279-2191

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWhile previous literature has continuously demonstrated the negative effects of cancer and its treatment on fertility and sexuality, evidence-based interventions to alleviate fertility-related distress and sexual dysfunction are lacking. This study protocol describes the internal pilot study and randomized controlled trial of an internet-delivered psychoeducational intervention: Fex-Can 2.0. The primary objective is to determine efficacy of Fex-Can 2.0 in terms of reduction of fertility-related distress and sexual dysfunction at end of the 12-week intervention. The internal pilot study will assess feasibility of the study, determined according to pre-specified progression criteria and individual interviews.

methodsThe study has a randomized controlled design, with an internal pilot phase. The intervention group will receive Fex-Can 2.0, consisting of psychoeducational- and behavior change content. The control group will be allocated to standard care. Primary outcomes are fertility-related distress (RCAC) and sexual function and satisfaction (PROMIS SexFS Brief Sexual Profile). Secondary outcomes include body image (BIS), emotional distress (HADS), health-related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), need satisfaction and frustration scale (NSFS), fertility- and sex-related knowledge, and self-efficacy related to fertility and sex life. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, directly after the intervention, and 12 weeks later. During the internal pilot, data on trial recruitment, data collection, drop out, and adherence will be collected to assess feasibility. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to further assess acceptability of Fex-Can 2.0.

conclusionsThis randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether Fex-Can 2.0 is superior to standard care, in terms of reducing fertility-related distress and sexual dysfunction in young adults diagnosed with cancer. If proven efficacious, the Fex-Can 2.0 intervention may be a valuable resource in health care, with the potential to significantly improve the care of young adults experiencing fertility-related distress and/or sexual dysfunction following cancer.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN18040643.

Indexed as

Internet-Based InterventionNeoplasmsPatient Education as TopicSexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalSexual Dysfunctions, PsychologicalStress, PsychologicalAdolescentAdultFemaleFertilityHumansInternetMalePilot ProjectsPsychological DistressQuality of Life

Identifiers

PMID40300010
PMCPMC12040239

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.