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Vulvodynia (Chronic Vulvar Pain)NCT06981611

Vulvodynia Intervention: the Effect of Multimodal Treatment for Provoked Vulvodynia

A study testing Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia in people with Vulvodynia (Chronic Vulvar Pain), run by Karlstad University at 1 site in Sweden.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia, by addressing the following specific research questions: 1. What is the feasibility and acceptability of this multimodal treatment protocol? 2. What are the effects on pain and psychosexual health? 3. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Vulvodynia (Chronic Vulvar Pain)
What is being tested?
Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteSweden
Study dates
11 Mar 2025to 31 Dec 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Biological sex: Female 18-40 years old Provoked vulvodynia

Who cannot join

  • Severe psychological issues that should be prioritized before vulvodynia treatment (e.g., substance abuse, psychosis)
  • Ongoing pregnancy
  • Childbirth within the last year
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to sexual trauma
  • Insufficient mastery of the Swedish language
  • No experience of vaginal sex, as vaginismus might be suspected, which requires different treatment

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Sweden1 site
  • Karlstad University

    Karlstad

Other trials in Sweden

About this study

Official title: Vulvodynia Intervention (VI): the Effect of Multimodal Treatment for Provoked Vulvodynia

The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia, by addressing the following specific research questions:

  1. What is the feasibility and acceptability of this multimodal treatment protocol?
  2. What are the effects on pain and psychosexual health?
  3. How is the treatment perceived by patients, clinicians and stakeholders in the health care setting, and how do they view the possibilities for implementation?
Read more

Participants will be recruited through their health care unit and receive a multimodal treatment. The treatment consists of individual sessions with different professionals, in total 11 sessions over a time period of four months. It is possible to involve partners in the treatment during two of the treatment sessions. The majority of the sessions are digital video meetings but some are conducted at the health care unit. The treatment are based on physiological and psychosocial components that have previously shown positive effects for individuals with vulvodynia, and includes both educational and practical elements.

The participants will:

  • Undergo a gynecological examination and a psychological assessment to determine if the treatment is suitable for their condition
  • Undergo a multimodal treatment
  • Complete questionnaires regarding their pain, physical tension, psychosexual and relational health and questions about the treatment
  • Be asked to participate in an interview about their experience of the treatment and intimacy
Read the detailed description

The study design consists of a mixed-methods design, where different methods are applied in the various sub-studies of the project.

Study 1, is an effectiveness evaluation, applying a sequential single case experimental AB design (SCED) with randomized baseline length, replicated across five healthcare contexts (n≈10-15 per unit, total N≈50-75).

Potential participants will be informed about the study at their health care unit and answer a few questions digitally to ensure that participation in the study is appropriate for them. An assessment will then be conducted and questions will be asked about the pain, psychological, sexual and relational health, and a diagnostic interview will be conducted to exclude other psychological issues that needs to be prioritized before vulvodynia treatment. After the assessment interview and inclusion, participants will be randomized to a 4, 5, or 6 week baseline period. Thereafter, the treatment will begin. During the baseline and treatment period, participants will complete a short self-assessment questionnaire, twice a week, to measure pain (primary outcome) and other key variables. To facilitate the repeated assessments, we will use the m-Path app, which was developed by KU Leuven University in Belgium to easily evaluate treatment for both patients and therapists. In addition to the repeated assessments, the treatment will be evaluated through a comprehensive web-based self-assessment questionnaire before and after the intervention and at a six-month follow-up, using the secure survey system called Survey and Report. through Karlstad university. The outcome measures are based on the ongoing work by the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services.

Study 2, is a qualitative evaluation and initial assessment of the possibilities for implementing the treatment in the Swedish healthcare context.

Individual interviews with patients will be conducted and questions will be asked regarding their experience of the treatment model. Focus group interviews will be conducted with practitioners and questions will be asked regarding relevance, relative advantages, consistency with standard practices, usability, and adaptability. Since the treatment will be carried out in five healthcare units with different organizational and practical conditions, questions will specifically address unit-specific aspects that therapists and patients perceive as having facilitated or hindered the implementation and what could be improved in both treatment content and execution. The questions are based on the recommendations of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare and the Public Health Agency regarding the initial assessment of implementation possibilities.

To obtain the healthcare organization's perspective on implementation possibilities, interviews will be held with health care stakeholders within the participating healthcare units. These interviews will also focus on relevance, relative advantages, consistency with standard practices, usability, and adaptability.

The individual and focus group interviews will be conducted in person at the health care units or through digital video meetings. Data from focus group interviews and individual interviews will be recorded by audio, transcribed, and analyzed according to standard qualitative analysis methods, primarily inductive empirically driven Thematic Analysis (TA).

Being tested
Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia
Keywords
Vulvodynia, Provoked vulvodynia, multimodal treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, cbt, couple treatment, single-case experimental design, sced, chronic pain, Vulvodynia Intervention
Medical subject headings
Vulvodynia, Color Vision Defects, Chronic Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodyniaBehavioural

    The intervention is based around physiological and psychosocial components working with goal-directed behavioral change. Includes both educational and practical elements, examples of these are vulva care, lubrication exercises, pelvic floor relaxation, work with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the pain, as well as thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to sex and desire, and educational and practical elements focusing on open communication and validation. The treatment sessions are approximately 60 minutes each. There is a possibility for the participants to involve partner during two of the treatment sessions.

Study groups in NCT06981611
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodyniaExperimentalA multimodal treatment consisting of approximately 11 treatment sessions, for provoked vulvodynia. Working with goal-directed behavior change that has both physiological and psychosocial components. The treatment sessions will be conducted with various professionals, via digital video meetings and meetings at the health care facilities. The first five sessions are conducted weekly, and the last six sessions are conducted biweekly. A follow-up session is conducted three months after the end of the treatment. Repeated measurements (twice a week) are being collected throughout this period.
Receives: Behavioral: Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia
Randomized to waiting period of 4, 5 or 6 weeksNo interventionParticipants are randomized to a 4, 5 or 6 week waiting period/baseline. Repeated measurements (twice a week) are being collected throughout this period.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in pain during touch and/or insertion of an object

    Provoked pain during sexual and non-sexual activities. Seven activities where pain is rated on a scale from 0 to 10. Higher scoring indicates higher degree of pain. There are also subsequent questions regarding whether they have performed the described activity or not within a specific time frame.

    Measured: Pre, post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 month follow-up, during baseline (4, 5 or 6 weeks) and treatment period measured twice a week for 25 weeks.

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. Change in sexual function

    The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a self-report measure of female sexual function that assesses six domains: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. It consists of 19 questions, rated on a 5-point scale, with a higher score indicating a better sexual function.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 months follow-up

  2. Change in treatment goal attainment

    Participants chose an individual treatment goal and rate treatment goal attainment, from 0-10, 0= the goal is not at all achieved, 10= the goal is achieved.

    Measured: Pre, post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 month follow-up. Repeated measures twice a week during baseline (4, 5 or 6 weeks) and treatment period, for 25 weeks.

  3. Change in pelvic floor tension

    Self-report assessment of pelvic floor tension and pelvic floor relaxation. Two items rated on a 11-point scale, from 0-10, higher scores indicate greater tension and more difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor, and physiotherapeutic examination.

    Measured: Pre, post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at a 6 month follow-up. During baseline and treatment period measured twice a week, for 25 weeks.

  4. Change in sexual satisfaction

    Global measure of sexual satisfaction (GMSEX), 5 items rated on a 7-point scale. Higher scores indicate a higher degree of sexual satisfaction.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 months follow-up

  5. Change in interpersonal and self focused sexual goals

    Approach avoidance sexual goals (AASQ), self focused sexual goals and interpersonal sexual goals, 23 items rated on a 7-point scale, participants rates the importance of self focused or interpersonal reasons, influencing why they typically engage in sex. Higher scores indicates greater importance.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started), and at 6 months follow-up

  6. Change in perceived intimacy

    9 items regarding self and partner disclosure, partner responsiveness and closeness, rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater perceived intimacy.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started), and at 6 months follow-up

  7. Change in life interference, sexual function interference and impact on relationship

    Vulvar pain assessment questionnaire (VPAQ) Inventory is a disease-specific set of measurement scales to capture the biopsychosocial nature of vulvodynia. We are using the parts from the questionnaire that evaluates life interference, sexual function interference, impact on relationship and sexual communication.

    Life interference: 11 items rated on a 6-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (avoid because of pain). Higher scores indicating greater life interference.

    Sexual function interference: 10 items rated on a 6-point scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (avoid because of pain)

    Impact on relationship: 6 items about intimacy and, general and sexual communication rated on a 5-point scale from much worse to much better. Higher scoring indicates that the vulva pain has lower impact on the relationship.

    6 items about communication with partner rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (largely uncomfortable) to 4 (largely comfortable). Higher scoring indicates

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 months follow-up

  8. Change in depressive symptoms

    Using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), 9 items are rated on a 4-point scale, from 0 to 3. Higher scores indicating higher degree of depression symtoms.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 months follow-up

  9. Change in anxiety symptoms

    Using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), 7 items rated on a 4-point scale from 0 to 3, higher scoring indicating a higher degree of anxiety symptoms.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 months follow-up

  10. Change in quality of life

    World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, 1 item where participants rates their quality of life, on a 5-point scale from 1 to 5, higher scoring indicating greater quality of life.

    Measured: Pre and post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 months follow-up

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 May 2025
  2. Study start11 Mar 2025
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Model description
The study utilizes a sequential single-case experimental AB design with randomized waiting period length (4, 5 or 6 weeks). Included in the design is also a pre-, post- and 6 month follow up measurement allowing for single group analysis of change. In addition, we collect qualitative data from patients, to explore experiences of participation in the study and the treatment.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06981611
Sponsor's protocol ID
2024-03946-01
Other IDs
2023-00377, 2023
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
10 Mar 2025
Last updated
12 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Because of the sensitive nature of the data. Data can be provided by request.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Vulvodynia Intervention: a multimodal treatment for provoked vulvodynia in people with Vulvodynia (Chronic Vulvar Pain), run by Karlstad University at 1 site in Sweden.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Sweden. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in pain during touch and/or insertion of an object (time frame: Pre, post treatment (25 weeks after the baseline measurement started) and at 6 month follow-up, during baseline (4, 5 or 6 weeks) and treatment period measured twice a week for 25 weeks.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Aug 2026.

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