Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Immersive Virtual Reality as a Tool to Reduce Anxiety and Distress in Patients With Breast Cancer During Radiotherapy
Aydin, Aydanur; Uslu, Gonca Hanedan; Gursoy, Ayla
Background: – Virtual reality (VR) can be an innovative method to reduce patients’ anxiety and support their psychological health. Objective: – To evaluate the anxiety and distress-reducing effects of using immersive VR (IVR) intervention in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). Methods: – Sixty breast cancer patients undergoing RT were recruited for the quasi-experimental study. The participants were divided into the intervention group and the control group. Anxiety and distress, the primary outcome measures, were assessed before the first and after the last radiation session using reliable scales. Patients in the intervention group watched a tranquil forest view with birdsong and meditation music during each RT session using IVR goggles. Results: – Both group patients had similar levels of anxiety and distress before the start of RT. After the intervention, the anxiety and distress of the patients in the intervention group decreased significantly compared with the control group. In addition, treatment-related comfort was higher in the intervention group. Overall, the majority of patients in the intervention group expressed a high level of satisfaction with this IVR experience. Conclusion: – Patients who experienced an IVR intervention showed less anxiety and distress, greater comfort, and higher satisfaction. This innovative technique can be used as a practical solution to alleviate anxiety and distress in various healthcare settings. Implications for Practice: – Immersive VR can be used in treatment and care interventions that cause anxiety and distress in oncology patients.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2023Breast cancer-related apps in Google Play and App store: evaluate their functionality and quality
Aydin, Aydanur; Gursoy, Ayla
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the functionality and quality of breast cancer apps that can be accessed from Turkey. Methods: In this study, a systematic search strategy was used to identify free mobile apps on breast cancer available in the App and Google Play stores. According to the study’s PRISMA flowchart, 707 apps met the inclusion criteria. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) assessed the quality of the apps. Results: Mobile apps focused on the categories of communication, education, and treatment order/plan. The mean MARS quality score for all apps was 3.4, and according to the mean score of the subscales, they were categorized as functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and participation. In addition, the mean scores of the subscales were listed on MARS as functionality, aesthetics, knowledge quality, and participation. Conclusion: Nowadays, “e-health” apps are attracting attention in the treatment of health problems. While the apps in download stores appear to provide basic information about breast cancer, they offer limited and personalized problem management related to prevention, early detection, and screening. Support from healthcare professionals and further efforts can be made to develop innovative technologies and apps that include evidence-based informational content about breast cancer. Implications for Cancer Survivors: In the process of breast cancer information, survivors can be encouraged to manage this process using e-health services.
- Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2023“Who am I?” A qualitative meta-synthesis of Chemotherapy‐induced alopecia and body image perception in breast cancer patients
Kocan, Sema; Aktug, Cemile; Gursoy, Ayla
Background: Since alopecia may be the first physical evidence and sign of cancer diagnosis and treatment, it may have a more serious and challenging effect on a woman than the loss of breast tissue. Objective: The purpose of this study was to summarize the current qualitative research which explores the body image perceptions of breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Material and methods: We searched three electronic databases and reviewed studies from December 2011 to December 2021 for qualitative results analysing the experiences of women with breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical (JBI) appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the targeted studies. The Meta-synthesis process developed by Sandelowski and Barroso was used to collect and analyse the data. Results: We discovered two main and five sub-themes from the meta-synthesis findings of 11 qualitative studies involving 225 women. The main themes were “I am not comfortable in this body” and “Who am I?”. The first main theme revealed patients’ intense reactions to their hair loss: “I'm in emotional chaos”, “I am looking for a place to hide” and “I knew it and now I’m experiencing it”.The second main theme of “Who am I?” contained two sub-themes: “What did my hair take from my femininity when it was gone?” and “Will I lose my partner after my hair?”. Conclusion: Meta-synthesis provided an up-to-date and integrated interpretation of scientific results about the experiences of women with breast cancer, alopecia, and their body image perceptions. This interpretation will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the alopecia-body image relationship. Thus, the aim of the meta-synthesis results is that these will contribute to nurses’ understanding of how alopecia, although a temporary symptom, affects women's perceptions of body image.