The effect of extended PLISSIT model-based counseling on sexual satisfaction in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized controlled trial

Maryam  Shami; Zahra Behboodi  Moghadam; Alireza  Ghanbaran; Ali  Montazeri; Mojgan  Javadnoori

doi:10.18502/npt.v13i2.21467

Maryam Shami Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Zahra Behboodi Moghadam Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Ghanbaran Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Ali Montazeri Population Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Mojgan Javadnoori Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v13i2.21467

Keywords: sexual satisfaction; counseling; EX-PLISSIT model; systemic lupus erythematous

Abstract

Background & Aim: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus has physiological, cognitive, and mental effects on sexual satisfaction in afflicted women. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual counseling based on the EX-PLISSIT model on sexual satisfaction in this group of patients.

Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 120 married women with SLE in Ahvaz, Iran. Eligible women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (four weeks of psychosexual counseling sessions based on EX-PLISSIT) and the control group, using block randomization with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Before the intervention and eight and twelve weeks after the completion of counseling sessions, the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered. Data was analyzed using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, Chi-square test, and repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: There was no significant difference in sexual satisfaction scores between the two groups before the intervention (p₌0.718). Following the intervention, the mean sexual satisfaction score in the intervention group significantly increased (from 93.8±15.59 to 104.5±13.32 after 12 weeks), while a significant decrease was observed in the control group. At the 12-week follow-up, the mean satisfaction in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.0001). Repeated Measures ANOVA confirmed a significant difference in the trend of changes between the two groups over time (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The results demonstrated that sexual counseling based on the EX-PLISSIT model significantly enhanced sexual satisfaction in married women with SLE compared to the control group. Therefore, this type of counseling is recommended as an effective and simple adjunctive therapeutic service for enhancing sexual satisfaction in women with SLE.

Trial registration: This study has been registered with the Iranian Registry for Clinical Trials

(IRCT20230626058592N2