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Effectiveness of Sexual Counseling Using BETTER Model to Promote Sexual Function and Satisfaction of Married Women with Multiple Sclerosis

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Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is a common concern in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to assess the effect of counseling based on the BETTER model (Bring up, Explain, Tell resources, Time, Educate, and Record) on sexual function and satisfaction in married women with MS. This randomized clinical trial included 72 married women between the ages of 18–49 years from the MS Society of Iran. The data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) at three points in time. The intervention involved the use of the BETTER model-based counseling approach with married women during four weekly sessions. The control group received routine care. The results of the analysis showed that the mean of FSFI for the women in the intervention group improved at 8 and 12 weeks after the counseling compared to the control group (p < 0.001). However, a significant difference was not observed between the mean score of ISS among the women in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.06). These results suggest that intervention based on the BETTER model counseling can significantly improve the sexual function of married women with MS. However, in order to improve the sexual satisfaction of these women multidisciplinary interventions are also recommended.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS); grant No. 9221151003 and code of registration at the Registry of Clinical Trials website with No: IRCT2017100936679N1. We would like to thank all women and their spouses for their participations in the study and sharing their sexual information with the researcher. Thanks to the manager and staff of the Iran MS Society for their cooperation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Faezeh Ghafoori, Zohreh Khakbazan & Keshvar Samadaee-Gelehkolaee

  2. Ministry Area, Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

    Faezeh Ghafoori

  3. Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Maryam Bagheri

  4. Nursing Management Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Nahid Dehghan-Nayeri

  5. University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Hamid Haghani

  6. Psychology Department, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

    Mahmoud Hedayatnejad

  7. Men’s Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Keshvar Samadaee-Gelehkolaee

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  1. Faezeh Ghafoori
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  2. Maryam Bagheri
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  3. Nahid Dehghan-Nayeri
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Correspondence to Keshvar Samadaee-Gelehkolaee.

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All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Ghafoori, F., Bagheri, M., Dehghan-Nayeri, N. et al. Effectiveness of Sexual Counseling Using BETTER Model to Promote Sexual Function and Satisfaction of Married Women with Multiple Sclerosis. Sex Disabil 40, 471–486 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-022-09746-y

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