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Banbury, Samantha, Hutchison, Paul and Chandler, Chris (2026) A preliminary waitlist-controlled randomised trial (WRCT) of mindful-compassion for improving sexual intimacy, well-being, and quality of life in women following cancer treatment in home hospice care. PEC Global, 1 (100005). pp. 1-8. ISSN 3117-468X
Psychosexual interventions remain limited in hospice care worldwide. This exploratory pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a mindful-compassion intervention to enhance psychosexual well-being among 22 women with advanced cancer receiving in-home hospice care. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a waitlist-controlled randomised trial (WRCT) with qualitative content analysis of participant feedback. The intervention comprised four weekly mindful-compassion sessions. Co-primary outcomes were sexual function, mindful-compassion, well-being, and quality of life, assessed at baseline (week 0), week 4, and week 12. Participants were randomly allocated to an active intervention group or a delayed (waitlist-control) group. Potential benefits over time were observed across sexual functioning, mindful-compassion, well-being, and quality of life (p < .05). At week 4, outcomes in the active group suggested improvements in well-being, sexual functioning, and sexual pain compared with the delayed group (p < .05). By week 12, differences between groups had narrowed, suggesting similar benefits following intervention delivery. Qualitative analysis reported enhanced sexual intimacy, reflected in improved emotional connection, communication, touching, and kissing with partners. Participants emphasised that intimacy remains meaningful even in the final stages of life. These preliminary findings highlight the potential value of mindful-compassion psychosexual support in hospice care. Larger controlled studies are required to confirm and extend these results.
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
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