Effect of Virtual Reality- Based Rehabilitation Program Versus Booklet-Based Education on Self-Care Practices and Prevention of Complications among Women after Mastectomy

Harfoush, Mohammed Saied; Mohamed Abdelrasol, Zizi Fikry; Anan, Eman Rabie Moustafa; Rashad Elsakka, Eman Ahmed

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2023.315146

Effect of Virtual Reality- Based Rehabilitation Program Versus Booklet-Based Education on Self-Care Practices and Prevention of Complications among Women after Mastectomy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer, Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt

² Assistant Professor, Medical- Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University & king Salman International University, Egypt

³ Lecturer, Nursing education, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt

10.21608/tsnj.2023.315146

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women worldwide. With an
estimated 2.1 million new cases being diagnosed each year and accounting for 24.2% of all
cancer diagnoses among women, it is the most frequent disease in women. Virtual reality-based
rehabilitation (VRBR) is a relatively new method that might make it easier to simulate doing
functional tasks than conventional rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to compare the
effect of Virtual Reality- based rehabilitation program versus booklet-based education on selfcare practices and prevention of complications among women after modified radical
mastectomy. Design: A quasi-experimental (Case-Control) research design was used to carry out
this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Damanhour oncology center in El-Beheira
governorate. Sample: A convenient sample of 100 female patients was included in the study.
Tools of data collection: Three tools were used for data collection Tool I: Socio-Demographic
characteristics and Health Profile Structured Interview questionnaire. Tool II: Self-care practices
of modified radical mastectomy structured interview schedule. Tool III: Early post modified
radical mastectomy complications checklist. Result: Virtual reality group has higher mean
scores than the booklet group in relation to all the studied dimensions as well as the total score of
the self-care practices. The differences are statistically significant in all studied items (P= 0.000),
except for some items such as follow-up (P=0.305), pain management (P=0.051), skin care
(P=0.722) and proper nutrition (P=0.794). Conclusion: According to the findings of the current
study it can be concluded that virtual reality-based rehabilitation program is more effective than
booklet-based rehabilitation program in improving self-care practices and prevention of
complications among women after mastectomy. Recommendation: The application of virtual
reality-based rehabilitation programs after mastectomy should be incorporated into the daily care
of post-mastectomy women in oncology centers and hospitals.