Effects of health beliefs model based nursing interventions performed at home on prevention of lymphedema in patients receiving radiotherapy after breast surgery

Aim: The study was conducted to determine home care needs and barriers to maintain behavior of lymphedema management in women developing lymphedema after breast surgery and to examine effects of health beliefs model based nursing interventions at home on lymphedema development. Methods: The study had qualitative and experimental designs. In the qualitative design, data were collected from 14 women at face-to-face in-depth interviews based on Health Beliefs Model and content analysis of obtained data were made. In the experimental stage, data were collected from 72 women on radiotherapy after breast surgery, of whom 37 were in the intervention group and 35 were in the control group. Data collection was performed at three home visits at three-months intervals by using Personal Characteristics Form, Quick- Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Scale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-BR23, Strategies Used by Patients to Promote Health Scale and Arm Circumference Measurement Form. Results: Barriers to lymphedema prevention and homecare needs after breast surgery were examined under the themes of lymphedema development, coping with lymphedema and effects of lymphedema on life. In the experimental stage of the study, upper extremity functions improved, side-effects and arm and breast symptoms decreased and the quality of life was enhanced, self-efficacy levels increased, frequency of lymphedema development and the cost averages was lower in the women offered nursing interventions at home compared to the control group. Conclusion: In the results of the study, nursing interventions based on Health Belief Model by home visits performed at regular intervals is recommended for development of lymphedema prevention behavior women having breast surgery in the short and long terms. Key words: Breast cancer, secondary lymphedema, Health Belief Model, home visit, nursing