Nurse-led support impact via a mobile app for breast cancer patients after surgery: a quasi-experimental study (step 2)

Abstract

Breast cancer patients may experience some health issues following surgery. Training patients about self-care plays a vital role in managing these symptoms. Mobile applications are a contemporary and appropriate approach to support patients about the potential symptoms following breast cancer surgery. This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of nurse-led support mobile application (NL-Mapp) delivered on breast cancer patients after surgery. Ninety participants were recruited, with 45 assigned to the intervention group and 45 to the control group. Subjects in the intervention group received NL-Mapp in addition to routine care, while those in the control group received only routine care over four weeks. The intervention included educational content on the postoperative period of breast cancer. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (M0), before discharge (M1), and one month after surgery (M2). The intervention group patients had significantly improved pain, affected shoulder functions, and anxiety owing to the effects of group, time, and group-time interaction. Body image and sexual adjustment were enhanced based on time and group-time interaction effects. During the follow-up period, experimental group patients experienced an improvement in body image and sexual adjustment, while those in the control group showed a decrease. This suggests that NL-Mapp may play a significant role in training breast cancer patients to manage their symptoms after surgery. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.