Effect of Telerehabilitation Versus In-Clinic Rehabilitation Delivery on Self-Efficacy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Abstract

Background: Individuals with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) require self-management strategies to reduce risk of infection, exacerbation, and/or progression of lymphedema. The coronavirus pandemic thrust the medical field into the world of telehealth; both patients and providers were forced to reduce in-person treatments and engage in this new platform of rehabilitation delivery. The role of telehealth in promotion of self-management for BCRL is unknown. Purpose: This study examines self-efficacy during cancer rehabilitation for in-clinic versus telehealth visits among individuals with BCRL during the pandemic quarantine April to November 2020. Methods: Forty women who recently completed oncology rehabilitation for BCRL were asked to complete demographics and 2 Likert surveys, including the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) and the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSE), to compare the efficacy of telehealth versus in-person treatment modalities. Results: Thirty-two participants completed the survey and indicated that the percentage of telehealth visits was less than face-to-face visits. Despite this, the participants indicated numerous positive moderately strong correlations between self-care self-efficacy and exercise self-efficacy for both types of visits (P