Abstract
BackgroundPhysiotherapy-led home rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery can protect against the development of upper limb dysfunction and other disabling consequences of surgery. A variety of barriers can limit physical rehabilitation outcomes, and patients may benefit from more support during this time. Mobile health (mHealth) systems can assist patients during rehabilitation by providing exercise support, biofeedback, and information. Before designing mHealth systems for a specific population, developers must first engage with users to understand their experiences and needs.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to explore patients’ rehabilitation experiences and unmet needs during home rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery and to understand their experiences of mHealth technology and the requirements they desire from an mHealth system.MethodsThis was the first stage of a user-centered design process for an mHealth system. We interviewed 10 breast cancer survivors under the two main topics of “Rehabilitation” and “Technology” and performed a thematic analysis on the interview data.ResultsDiscussions regarding rehabilitation focused on the acute and long-term consequences of surgery; unmet needs and lack of support; self-driven rehabilitation; and visions for high-quality rehabilitation. Regarding technology, participants reported a lack of mHealth options for this clinical context and using non-cancer–specific applications and wearables. Participants requested an mHealth tool from a reliable source that provides exercise support.ConclusionsThere are unmet needs surrounding access to physiotherapy, information, and support during home rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery that could be addressed with an mHealth system. Breast cancer survivors are open to using an mHealth system and require that it comes from a reliable source and focuses on supporting exercise performance.
Highlights
Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 4 cancer diagnoses in women in Europe [1]
Participants reported a lack of Mobile health (mHealth) options for this clinical context and using non-cancer–specific applications and wearables
There are unmet needs surrounding access to physiotherapy, information, and support during home rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery that could be addressed with an mHealth system
Summary
Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 4 cancer diagnoses in women in Europe [1]. A pattern of decreased mortality rates and increased incidence means that there is an ever-increasing number of women living with and beyond a breast cancer diagnosis [2]. Upper limb dysfunction is a prevalent, persistent, and disabling consequence of breast cancer treatment, which is reported by up to 62% of women 6 years after treatment [3,7,8]. Symptoms such as shoulder girdle pain, weakness, reduced range of movement (ROM), and lymphedema are associated with surgery for breast cancer [8,9,10]. Considering the above barriers to rehabilitation, many women may benefit from more support after surgery to optimize their rehabilitation and limit the development of upper limb dysfunction. Before designing mHealth systems for a specific population, developers must first engage with users to understand their experiences and needs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
