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Experiences of internet-based treatment for vulvodynia: A qualitative study
Uppsala University, Center for Clinical Research, Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden; Uppsala University, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala, Sweden.
Karolinska Institute, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Solna, Sweden; Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Uppsala University, Center for Clinical Research, Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden; Uppsala University, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala, Sweden.
Uppsala University, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala, Sweden; Umeå University, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå, Sweden.
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2022 (English)In: Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare, ISSN 1877-5756, E-ISSN 1877-5764, Vol. 33, article id 100756Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe women's experiences before, under, and after a guided internet-based intervention for vulvodynia. Methods: The design was qualitative, based on content analysis. Participants were women who had undergone guided internet-based treatment for vulvodynia based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles (n = 13). Data were collected through in-depth interviews approximately-one month after participants completed treatment. Results: The analysis revealed the women's experiences of internet-based treatment for vulvodynia. Three themes emerged: “dealing with pain alone,” which was related to experiences of living with vulvodynia before internet-based treatment; “finding new ways,” which described the experiences of undergoing an internet-based treatment for vulvodynia and “feeling empowered to take control,” referring to the experiences of living with vulvodynia after the internet-based treatment. The women described a long search for a diagnosis, revealing a negative experience of healthcare. The internet-based treatment helped them find new ways to manage vulvodynia, but difficulties with the treatment were also experienced. After the intervention, the women reported improvements in wellbeing and having better strategies to manage pain, but also stated that the treatment was insufficient to perceive changes in vulvar pain. Conclusions: The guided internet-based treatment program for vulvodynia based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles was perceived as credible, helpful to manage vulvodynia, and could serve as a complement to regular care. Questions regarding the need for more support and optimal length of treatment need to be further evaluated. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2022. Vol. 33, article id 100756
Keywords [en]
Acceptance and commitment therapy, Internet-based intervention, Qualitative research, Vestibulodynia, Vulvodynia
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-59613DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100756ISI: 000841967100001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85134700257OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mdh-59613DiVA, id: diva2:1685631
Available from: 2022-08-03 Created: 2022-08-03 Last updated: 2022-10-18Bibliographically approved

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Widarsson, Margareta

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