The effect of web-based training on life quality and spousal adjustment for women with breast cancer and their spouses

Purpose The aim of the study was to examine the effects of web-based training that was structured in line with Roy's Adaptation Model on the “life quality” of women with breast cancer, and on the “spousal adjustment” of women and their spouses. Method The study used a pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental controlled group design and 83 women with breast cancer and their spouses were enrolled. The data were collected at baseline and again three months later using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-breast cancer scale and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale as data collection tools. Results The average scores of life quality and agreement between spouses in the web-based training group were higher than in the control group. More specifically, the physical well-being (p=0.002), emotional well-being (p<0.001), functional well-being (p=0.001), breast cancer module scores (p<0.001) and dyadic cohesion (p=0.003) and dyadic consensus (p<0.001) sub-dimension scores of the women in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group in the third month. Similarly, the third month mean score of dyadic consensus (p<0.001) and affectional expression (p=0.023) of the spouses in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group. Conclusions The web-based training programme that was prepared by nurses in line with Roy's Adaptation Model improved the life quality and couples' adjustment in women with breast cancer. Web-based training can be used to improve patient care outcomes because of the continuity of training for women and their spouses.