Experience of using a virtual reality rehabilitation management platform for breast cancer patients: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Postoperative rehabilitation of upper limb function is crucial for breast cancer. Therefore, we developed a rehabilitation management platform using virtual reality to improve rehabilitation compliance and effect. The purpose of this research was to understand the user usability experience of breast cancer patients about the postoperative rehabilitation management of upper limb function using virtual reality. A qualitative descriptive research was designed. We used a maximum difference purpose sampling method. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a 3-armor hospital in Changchun was selected for the recruitment. A one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients after breast cancer operation. The Colaizzi seven-step analysis method was used to classify data under summarized themes. Twenty patients participated in this semi-structured interview. User experience could be summarized into four themes as follows: 1) experience and feeling after using the virtual reality rehabilitation management platform; 2) factors influencing the use of the virtual reality rehabilitation management platform; 3) willingness to recommend the virtual reality rehabilitation management platform to peers; and 4) suggestions to improve the virtual reality rehabilitation management platform. Breast cancer patients who used the rehabilitation management platform had a good experience, and their recognition and satisfaction were high. The use of the platform is influenced by many factors, and most patients are willing to recommend this platform to their peers. Future studies should be conducted according to patients' feedback and suggestions on how to further optimize and improve the platform.