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Papers by Danielle de Boos

University of Nottingham, Mar 15, 2021

Introduction: Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition characterised by unexplained vulvar pain, wh... more Introduction: Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition characterised by unexplained vulvar pain, which can be provoked or unprovoked. Treatments for vulvodynia are varied and most commonly include medical management and psychological therapies. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended for the psychological treatment of chronic pain, which has been adapted to target pain, sexual functioning and psychological distress in women with vulvodynia. However, there is a lack of consensus and limited rigorous research studies into the efficacy of psychological therapies in this population, particularly CBT, despite its common use. Aim: This review aims to investigate the efficacy of CBT for vulvodynia, as well as update existing reviews on the subject area. Methods: A systematic search of EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL was conducted and quality assessment of included papers undertaken. A meta-analysis was intended for nine identified quantitative papers, though this was not possible due to disparities in comparators, populations and outcomes. Effect sizes were calculated for pre-and post-treatment data within CBT conditions across the studies, and comparisons made. Results: There is an overall modest effect across studies indicating CBT treatment impacts positively on outcomes for vulvodynia from pre-to post-treatment. Methodological quality of studies was variable. Conclusions: There is a dearth of literature examining the efficacy of psychological therapies, in particular CBT, for vulvodynia. Findings indicate CBT can facilitate significant reductions in pain, and improvements in sexual functioning and psychological distress. However, existing studies are disparate in their conceptualisation of the problem and approach to evaluating the efficacy of CBT on outcomes. As a result, findings are tentative and more robust research is required to build on this evidence base, and identify the components of CBT which may be effective, as well as predictors of outcomes.

University of Nottingham, Mar 15, 2021

Introduction: Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition characterised by unexplained vulvar pain, wh... more Introduction: Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition characterised by unexplained vulvar pain, which can be provoked or unprovoked. Treatments for vulvodynia are varied and most commonly include medical management and psychological therapies. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended for the psychological treatment of chronic pain, which has been adapted to target pain, sexual functioning and psychological distress in women with vulvodynia. However, there is a lack of consensus and limited rigorous research studies into the efficacy of psychological therapies in this population, particularly CBT, despite its common use. Aim: This review aims to investigate the efficacy of CBT for vulvodynia, as well as update existing reviews on the subject area. Methods: A systematic search of EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL was conducted and quality assessment of included papers undertaken. A meta-analysis was intended for nine identified quantitative papers, though this was not possible due to disparities in comparators, populations and outcomes. Effect sizes were calculated for pre-and post-treatment data within CBT conditions across the studies, and comparisons made. Results: There is an overall modest effect across studies indicating CBT treatment impacts positively on outcomes for vulvodynia from pre-to post-treatment. Methodological quality of studies was variable. Conclusions: There is a dearth of literature examining the efficacy of psychological therapies, in particular CBT, for vulvodynia. Findings indicate CBT can facilitate significant reductions in pain, and improvements in sexual functioning and psychological distress. However, existing studies are disparate in their conceptualisation of the problem and approach to evaluating the efficacy of CBT on outcomes. As a result, findings are tentative and more robust research is required to build on this evidence base, and identify the components of CBT which may be effective, as well as predictors of outcomes.