The effectiveness of digital empowerment on Illness perception, depression, anxiety and stress in Iran’s breast cancer patients

Background: Breast cancer disease exposes patients to various physical, psychological, and social challenges. Objectives: In this study, the effectiveness of empowerment in a digital context on illness perception, depression, anxiety, and stress of breast cancer patients was investigated. Materials & Methods: The present study utilized a quasi-experimental design with two experimental groups and one control group, incorporating both pre-test and post-test. Two questionnaires including perception questionnaire-revised and depression, anxiety, and stress were employed. The study sample was randomly assigned to intervention and control groups after their informed consent was obtained. In order to empower patients, one group participated in the Webinar training solely, while the other group participants engaged in both the Webinar and WhatsApp messages. The data was analyzed using SPSS software, version 23. Results: A total of 84 patients participated, with 28 in the Webinar + WhatsApp channel intervention group, 28 in the Webinar-only group, and 28 in the control group. The difference in the overall score of illness perception in the Webinar+WhatsApp intervention group was significant compared to the control group. However, the depression scores represented no significant difference between the intervention and control groups. Moreover, the anxiety levels in the Webinar + WhatsApp intervention group were significantly different from the control group. Conversely, the stress scores in both intervention groups revealed a notable significant difference compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated that current education using cyberspace to improve the illness perception of breast cancer patients regarding their disease and psychological challenges was effective.