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. 2024 Feb 26:10:23779608241231176.
doi: 10.1177/23779608241231176. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec.

Effects of a Phone-Based Support Program for Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study

Xi Chen  1   2 , Nujjaree Chaimongkol  1 , Pornpat Hengudomsub  1
Affiliations

Effects of a Phone-Based Support Program for Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study

Xi Chen et al. SAGE Open Nurs. .

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing number of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy may result in long-lasting, adverse physical side effects and reduced quality of life.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of the Phone-Based Support Program for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The primary outcome was self-care self-efficacy; secondary outcomes were symptom distress and quality of life.

Methods: This pilot study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu province, China, from February to March 2023. The Phone-Based Support Program was delivered to 20 participants through the smartphone application WeChat, consisting of learning, discussion, ask-the-expert, and personal stories components. Outcome measures were assessed at three time points: preintervention, postintervention, and follow-up.

Results: The Phone-Based Support Program was feasible and could improve self-care self-efficacy, decrease symptom distress, and promote quality of life. The program was well-accepted, and participants engaged actively in the online discussion and sought expert advice.

Conclusions: The Phone-Based Support Program showed feasibility and effectiveness in improving self-care self-efficacy, reducing symptom distress, and enhancing quality of life.

Keywords: breast cancer; chemotherapy; phone-based support; quality of life; self-care self-efficacy; symptom distress; telenursing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart description of the intervention process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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