The effect of self-manegement lymphedema education programme on the patient adherence, daily life activities and patient activation in patients with breast-cancer related lymphedema

The aim of this pre-test post-test in one group quasi-experimental study was to determine the effects of self-management lymphedema (SML) education program on the patient adherence, daily life activities and patient activation in patients with breast-cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). The study was conducted with 44 patients with BCRL between 1 December 2019 and 15 December 2020 at Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Application and Research Center. At the beginning of the study, upper extremity lymphedema assessments were made and then SML education program was provided for the patients in a planned manner. The patients included in the study were followed for 12 months. Personal Information Form, Upper Extremity Lymphedema Diagnosis Form, Adaptation to Chronic Illness Scale, KATZ Daily Living Activities Index, Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and Patient Activation Measure were used in the study. When the pre-test and post-test were compared, there was a significant decrease in the upper extremity volume, and a significant increase in patient adaptation and patient activation (p<0,05). As a result of the study, the lymphedema-related symptoms also decreased. It was concluded that SML education program reduced the upper extremity volume, increased patient adaptation and patient activation, and contributed to the independent performance of daily living activities. It is recommended that SML education program can be used by nurses to ensure patient adaptation and active participation in treatment, and further randomized controlled trials can be conducted to create strong evidence for nursing literature and lymphedema management.