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Coronary artery disease
Original research article
Sexual rehabilitation for cardiac patients with erectile dysfunction: a randomised clinical trial
  1. Pernille Palm1,2,
  2. Ann-Dorthe Olsen Zwisler3,
  3. Jesper Hastrup Svendsen1,4,
  4. Lau Casper Thygesen5,
  5. Annamaria Giraldi4,6,
  6. Karina Gregersen Jensen1,
  7. Jane Lindschou7,
  8. Per Winkel7,
  9. Christian Gluud7,
  10. Elaine Steinke8,
  11. Selina Kikkenborg Berg1,4,5
  1. 1 Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. 2 Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  3. 3 The National Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Nyborg, Denmark
  4. 4 Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  5. 5 National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade, Denmark
  6. 6 Sexological Clinic, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
  7. 7 Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  8. 8 School of Nursing, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr. Pernille Palm, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark; pernille.palm.johansen{at}regionh.dk

Abstract

Background Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with either ischaemic heart disease (IHD) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and has a negative impact on quality of life. Non-pharmacological treatment options are lacking. The purpose of this trial was to assess the effect of sexual rehabilitation versus usual care for males with erectile dysfunction and either IHD and/or ICD.

Methods Participants with erectile dysfunction and IHD and/or ICD were randomised to 12 weeks of sexual rehabilitation consisting of physical exercise training, pelvic floor exercise and psychoeducation, or usual care. Primary outcome: sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Secondary outcome: sexual function by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. Exploratory outcomes: exercise capacity, pelvic floor strength/endurance, self-reported health and mental health.

Results 154 participants were included, mean age 61.6 years (SD 6.1). Sexual rehabilitation compared with usual care improved sexual function with a mean difference IIEF score of 6.7 (95% CI 3.1 to 10.4, p<0.0003) at 4 months between groups (unadjusted IIEF mean scores 36.4 vs 31.3) and a mean difference of 6.7, 95% CI 3.2 to 10.1 (p<0.0002) at 6 months between groups (unadjusted mean scores IIEF 37.1 vs 32.2). No effects were seen on the secondary outcome. Sexual rehabilitation improved exercise capacity on cycle ergometer measured by Watt max with a mean difference of 10.3, 95% CI 3.6 to 16.9 (p<0.003) and pelvic floor strength (p<0.01). No differences were seen on self-reported health and mental health.

Conclusion Sexual rehabilitation compared with usual care improves sexual function and exercise capacity.

Trial registration NCT01796353; Results.

  • cardiac rehabilitation
  • coronary artery disease
  • implanted cardiac defibrillators

https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2018-313778

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors PP, SKB and A-DOZ conceived the idea for the study. All designed the study. LCT performed the statistical analyses. PP wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All revised the manuscript critically. All have given their final approval of the version to be published.

    • Funding This work was supported by The Danish Heart Foundation (grant no. 13-04-R95-A46), The Danish Health Foundation (grant no. 2013B208), The Oestifterne Foundation and the Lundbeck Foundation.

    • Disclaimer The study funders played no role in the study.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Obtained

    • Ethics approval This trial was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (j.nr. 2007-58-0015) and Regional Ethics Committee (j.nr. H-4-2012-168).

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.