TITLE:
Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
AUTHORS:
Xue Hu
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer, Lymphedema, Theory of Planned Behavior, Nursing Behavior, Management Efficacy
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate the application effect of self-care intervention based on planned behavior theory in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Methods: Using convenience sampling method, 84 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema from a tertiary Grade A hospital in Jingzhou City from June 2024 to December 2025 were selected as study subjects and divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 42 cases in each group. The control group received conventional health education, while the experimental group received planned behavior theory-based self-care intervention in addition to the control group’s routine care. The intervention lasted for 3 months. The self-management efficacy, breast cancer lymphedema-related symptoms, and upper limb function scores were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. Results: A total of 84 patients completed follow-up, with 42 in each group. Following the intervention, the experimental group achieved better scores than the control group in self-management efficacy, lymphedema symptoms, and upper limb function (P Conclusion: This study indicates that a self-care intervention grounded in the theory of planned behavior improved self-management efficacy and symptom control in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. The follow-up period was limited to three months; whether these effects persist remains to be established.