Sexual Function and Quality of Life: Assessing Existing Tools and Considerations for New Technologies

Abstract

AbstractSexual activity is an important facet of social functioning and quality of life (QoL) reflected in its inclusion in the World Health Organization’s generic, 26-item, quality of life instrument, the WHOQOL-BREF, in the item “how satisfied are you with your sex life?” Several instruments designed to assess sexual activity, function or QoL have been developed, varying in their scope, measurement properties, and applicability to certain populations. Evidence from literature reviews of instruments was synthesized to (a) identify generic self-administered instruments, which have been developed for research or clinical practice in adults and (b) to investigate their scope, psychometric properties, and applicability. We then considered these methods together with emerging Quality of Life Technologies. In total, 110 instruments were identified via nine reviews and 31 generic instruments were retained. There was a good evidence of the instruments’ internal consistency and reliability, but limited evidence of their responsiveness to change. While 31 instruments provide an adequate assessment of function/sexual QoL, fitting with COSMIN guidance, their scope varied and only three of these were developed since the revision of the definition of sexual dysfunction in 2013. Computerized self-reported measures may facilitate data collection yet were rarely discussed by authors. This meta-review has compiled evidence on generic instruments that can improve the collection of data on sexual function/QoL in research and clinical practice. We also discuss the emerging use of applications, connected wearables and devices that may provide another less invasive avenue for the assessment of sexual function/QoL at the individual and population level.