Determining the Effectiveness of Mobile Technology-Assisted Self-Management Training for the Prevention of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients

For nursing students

Study summary

Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer among women globally and within our country, impacting them significantly across various aspects of their lives. The treatments associated with breast cancer can lead to a range of serious health issues for patients. A particularly concerning complication is lymphedema, which frequently develops in individuals who have undergone sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection as part of their postoperative care following breast surgery. This condition can manifest at any point after the surgical procedure and poses considerable challenges due to its difficulty in treatment once it has established itself. Therefore, lifelong self-management is crucial for breast cancer patients not only to prevent the onset of lymphedema but also to help control or delay its progression if it does occur.

The existing literature highlights a critical gap: many breast cancer patients do not receive sufficient information about lymphedema and are often unaware that they may be at risk of developing this condition in the future. This lack of awareness is compounded by an insufficient provision of necessary support systems to help them manage their health effectively. In light of these challenges, there is a clear need for innovative approaches to patient education and self-management training.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of mobile technology-assisted self-management training in preventing lymphedema among breast cancer patients. The research will be conducted using a two-stage methodology: first, a methodological stage followed by a randomized controlled pretest-posttest design. This approach allows for rigorous evaluation of the intervention's impact.

The study population will consist of women diagnosed with breast cancer who have undergone breast surgery at least three months prior and are currently patients at Inonu University Turgut Özal Medical Center Oncology Hospital in Malatya province, Turkey. Participation is voluntary, meaning only those individuals who agree to take part in the research will be included.

The sample size has been carefully determined through a power analysis. For the first stage of the study, 147 participants are planned for recruitment. In the subsequent second stage, which employs the randomized controlled pretest-posttest design, the total number of participants will be 120 individuals. These participants will be equally divided into two groups: an experimental group (60 people) and a control group (60 people). Random assignment to these groups is essential for ensuring that any observed differences in outcomes can be attributed to the intervention rather than pre-existing characteristics.

To gather comprehensive data, several validated instruments will be utilized. These include: 1. A Personal Information Form: This form will collect demographic and baseline health information relevant to each participant. 2. The Lymphedema Self-Management Support Scale for Breast Cancer Survivors (LSSS-BCS): This scale is designed to assess the level of support patients feel they receive regarding lymphedema self-management, as well as their perceived ability to manage this condition effectively on a daily basis. 3. The Breast Cancer Survivorship Self-Efficacy Scale: This tool will measure participants' confidence in their ability to perform various tasks related to managing life after breast cancer treatment and preventing complications like lymphedema. 4. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: This scale is used to evaluate the overall self-esteem of participants, which can be influenced by health conditions such as lymphedema.

The primary objective of this research is to determine how a mobile application, developed based on the findings and insights gained from this study, will affect the self-management capabilities and self-esteem levels of breast cancer patients. The hope is that if proven effective, this mobile technology-supported intervention can be recommended for widespread use among breast cancer survivors as part of their ongoing care plan.