Effectiveness of the Continuous Care Model on Quality of Life, Sexual Satisfaction and Function in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Tumor Resection Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial.
Rezaeeniya F, Hasandoost F, et al. • Clinical genitourinary cancer • 2025
The Continuous Care Model intervention effectively enhanced quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and sexual function particularly in males among bladder cancer patients undergoing tumor resection surgery.
Key Findings
Results
The CCM intervention group demonstrated significantly improved overall quality of life compared to controls.
Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline and at 1 and 3 months postintervention
Overall QoL improvement was statistically significant (P < .001)
Specific subscales showing improvement included physical, emotional, cognitive functioning, and fatigue
54 bladder cancer patients were enrolled in Tehran, Iran between April and September 2024
CCM group had n = 26 participants; control group had n = 28 participants
Results
Sexual satisfaction improved significantly in the CCM intervention group compared to controls.
Sexual satisfaction was measured using the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire
Improvement in sexual satisfaction was statistically significant (P < .001)
Assessments were conducted at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention
The CCM intervention included a sexual health education component
Results
Male sexual function improved significantly following the CCM intervention, particularly in orgasm and sexual desire domains.
Male sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)
Orgasm improvement was statistically significant (P = .049)
Sexual desire improvement was statistically significant (P = .020)
These improvements were observed specifically in male participants in the CCM group
Results
No significant changes in female sexual function were observed following the CCM intervention.
Female sexual function was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
No statistically significant improvements in female sexual function were found in the CCM group
Past medical history was significantly associated with female sexual function (P = .019)
Partner's job was significantly associated with female sexual function (P = .017)
The authors note that further research is needed to address unique challenges impacting female patients' sexual function post-bladder cancer surgery
Methods
The study design was a randomized controlled trial enrolling bladder cancer patients undergoing tumor resection surgery.
54 bladder cancer patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to CCM intervention (n = 26) or control (n = 28) groups
The study was conducted in Tehran, Iran from April to September 2024
Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 1 and 3 months postintervention
Instruments used included EORTC QLQ-C30 for QoL, Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire, IIEF, and FSFI
The CCM emphasizes patient empowerment and included sexual health education
What This Means
This research suggests that a structured care approach called the Continuous Care Model (CCM), which includes sexual health education, can meaningfully improve quality of life and sexual wellbeing in bladder cancer patients who have undergone tumor removal surgery. In this randomized controlled trial of 54 patients in Iran, those who received the CCM intervention showed significantly better overall quality of life — including physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, as well as less fatigue — compared to patients who received standard care alone. Sexual satisfaction also improved significantly in the CCM group.
When looking at sexual function specifically, male patients in the CCM group experienced notable improvements in sexual desire and ability to achieve orgasm. However, female patients did not show significant improvements in sexual function from the CCM intervention. The study found that factors like a woman's past medical history and her partner's employment status were associated with her sexual function outcomes, suggesting that the factors influencing women's sexual health after this type of surgery are more complex and may require different or more tailored approaches.
This research suggests that adding a structured, patient-empowerment-focused care model with sexual health education to standard post-surgical care could be beneficial for bladder cancer patients, particularly men. The findings highlight a gap in addressing women's sexual health needs after bladder cancer surgery, pointing to the need for further research to develop more effective strategies for female patients in this context.
Rezaeeniya F, Hasandoost F, Abedi A, Amanollahi A, Moosavi S. (2025). Effectiveness of the Continuous Care Model on Quality of Life, Sexual Satisfaction and Function in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Tumor Resection Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial.. Clinical genitourinary cancer. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clgc.2025.102321