Browsing by Author "Barton, Debra L."

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    A Preliminary Study of Short-Term Sexual Function and Satisfaction among Men Post-Myocardial Infarction
    (Sage, 2022) Smith, Asa B.; Barton, Debra L.; Davis, Matthew; Jackson, Elizabeth A.; Smith, Jacqui; Wittmann, Daniela; School of Nursing
    Sexuality is an important component of holistic quality of life, and myocardial infarction (MI) negatively influences many aspects of sexuality, including sexual function. However, there is limited literature that examines sexuality beyond the most basic physical components. This pilot study aimed to describe the relationships between the physical, psychologic, and social domains of holistic sexuality at an early timepoint post-MI. Adult men post-MI were mailed self-report surveys at two weeks post discharge. Physical domains of sexuality were measured with the arousal, orgasm, erection, lubrication, and pain subscales of the Male Sexual Function Index, (MSFI). The social domain utilized the sexual satisfaction subscale of the MSFI. The psychologic domain included the desire subscale of the MSFI and sexual fear (Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ)). Spearman correlations were estimated to examine associations among the different measurement subscales. Twenty-four men post-MI were analyzed. Average scores on the MSFI were 9.2 (SD 7.7). Desire and satisfaction were the highest scoring subscales among men when compared with other subscales (i.e., erection, lubrication). There was minimal evidence supporting a relationship between sexual fear and function. Additional research is also needed with larger samples, and among women post-MI.
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    Predictors of sexual function among men after myocardial infarction: a pilot study
    (Mark Allen Group, 2021) Smith, Asa B.; Barton, Debra L.; Jackson, Elizabeth A.; Wittmann, Daniela; Smith, Jacqui; Davis, Matthew; School of Nursing
    Background: Sexual dysfunction often persists among men post-myocardial infarction (MI). While some cross-sectional and longitudinal research has been conducted, there are still no known modifiable targets for intervention. This pilot study aimed to model hypothesized predictive factors of higher sexual function in a cohort of men post-MI. Methods: In a longitudinal study design, sexual function (Male Sexual Function Index), sexual fear (Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), and utilization of coping strategies (Coping Strategy Indicator) data were collected at two weeks and three months post discharge for MI. Spearman correlations were estimated to examine associations among MSFI scores with the selected predictors at two weeks and three months. Linear regression models were conducted for sexual function while controlling for age. Results: Fourteen men post-MI were analyzed. The average age of the sample was 59.79 years, 78.6% were married, and all were self-reported White race. Sexual fear and utilization of problem-solving and support-seeking coping strategies were moderately correlated with MSFI scores at three months. Increased use of problem-solving and support-seeking coping strategies were associated with increased sexual function at three months (support-seeking coping 1.47, p<0.01; problem-solving coping 0.95, p=0.02). Conclusions: Based on these preliminary findings, utilization of coping strategies may predict increased function score over three months. However, additional studies are needed to further examine these hypothesized relationships with a larger more diverse sample. Additional studies are needed of predictors of sexual function among women post-MI.
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    Sexual Function, Anxiety, Depression and Coping After Myocardial Infarction: An Exploratory Study
    (Springer, 2022) Smith, Asa B.; Davis, Matthew; Jackson, Elizabeth A.; Wittmann, Daniela; Smith, Jacqui; Barton, Debra L.; School of Nursing
    Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) may decrease sexual function and satisfaction in men and can be influenced by anxiety, depression, and sexual fear. However, few studies have examined short-term changes in sexual function over time in a post-MI population. This study aimed to longitudinally describe changes in sexual function and satisfaction in a sample of men post-MI. Methods: Eighteen patients were recruited from a Midwestern hospital. Surveys were mailed two weeks and three months post discharge. Sexual function was measured with the Male Sexual Function Index. Other variables collected included sexual fear (Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Anxiety and Depression 4a), and use of coping strategies (Coping Strategy Indicator). Results: Sexual function scores increased in the entire sample from 8.9 (SD 7.3) at two weeks to 14.6 (SD 8.9) at three months (18.8% improvement, p=0.04). Men who were sexually active improved their scores by 27.3% (p=0.01), while those who were not sexually active decreased their scores by 2.3% (p=0.5). Depressive symptoms and anxiety scores were low and largely stable across timepoints, though there were some improvements among men who were sexually active compared to those who were not. Decreased utilization of avoidance coping strategies was reported in sexually active versus inactive men. Conclusion: While sexual function improved within a short-time period post discharge among sexually active men post-MI, further research is needed with a larger sample to understand these changes across a longer period. Additional research is also warranted to examine any potential influence of psychosocial predictors.
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    The National Cancer Institute clinical trials planning meeting to address gaps in observational and intervention trials for cancer-related cognitive impairment
    (Oxford University Press, 2025) Janelsins, Michelle C.; Van Dyk, Kathleen; Hartman, Sheri J.; Koll, Thuy T.; Cramer, Christina K.; Lesser, Glenn J.; Barton, Debra L.; Mustian, Karen M.; Wagner, Lynne I.; Ganz, Patricia A.; Cole, Peter D.; Bakos, Alexis; Root, James C.; Hardy, Kristina; Magnuson, Allison; Ferguson, Robert J.; McDonald, Brenna C.; Saykin, Andrew J.; Gonzalez, Brian D.; Wefel, Jeffrey S.; Morilak, David A.; Dahiya, Saurabh; Heijnen, Cobi J.; Conley, Yvette P.; Morgans, Alicia K.; Mabbott, Donald; Monje, Michelle; Rapp, Stephen R.; Gondi, Vinai; Bender, Catherine; Embry, Leanne; McCaskill Stevens, Worta; Hopkins, Judith O.; St. Germain, Diane; Dorsey, Susan G.; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, School of Medicine
    Cancer-related cognitive impairment is a broad term encompassing subtle cognitive problems to more severe impairment. The severity of this impairment is influenced by host, disease, and treatment factors, and the impairment affects patients before, during, and following cancer treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Symptom Management and Health-Related Quality of Life Steering Committee (SxQoL SC) convened a clinical trial planning meeting to review the state of the science on cancer-related cognitive impairment and develop phase II/III intervention trials aimed at improving cognitive function in cancer survivors with non-central nervous system disease and longitudinal studies to understand the trajectory of cognitive impairment and contributing factors. Participants included experts in the field of cancer-related cognitive impairment, members of the SxQoL SC, patient advocates, representatives from all 7 NCI Community Oncology Research Program research bases, and the NCI. Presentations focused on the following topics: measurement, lessons learned from pediatric and geriatric oncology, biomarker and mechanism endpoints, longitudinal study designs, and pharmacological and behavioral intervention trials. Panel discussions provided guidance on priority cognitive assessments, considerations for remote assessments, inclusion of relevant biomarkers, and strategies for ensuring broad inclusion criteria. Three clinical trial planning meeting working groups (longitudinal studies as well as pharmacological and behavioral intervention trials) convened for 1 year to discuss and report on top priorities and to design studies. The meeting experts concluded that sufficient data exist to advance phase II/III trials using selected pharmacological and behavioral interventions for the treatment of cancer-related cognitive impairment in the non-central nervous system setting, with recommendations included herein.