The Effect of Self-Care Program Based on Modeling and Role Modeling Theory on Body Image Nurturance in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

One of the most critical disorders among patients with colorectal cancer is a change in their body image. This study aimed to examine the effect of a self-care program based on the modeling and role-modeling theory on nurturing body image of patients with colorectal cancer. In 2018, a 2-group randomized clinical trial was conducted in Mashhad, Iran. According to the modeling and role-modeling theory, 27 patients allocated in the experimental group received five 30- to 45-minute sessions at the hospital and 4 sessions of phone counseling within 2 weeks. Twenty-seven patients randomly allocated in the control group received the routine care. Data were collected by demographic and body image scales 3 times with the patients. The mean age of the patients in experimental and control groups was not significantly different (P = .46). The mean scores of the body image at the admission time were 26.8 ± 2.6 in the experimental and 27.9 ± 3.1 in control groups (P = .12). However, the mean scores of body image of the experimental group were 24.3 ± 4.6 at the discharge time and 28.1 ± 2.1 during the follow-up phase. In the control group, the body image scores were 21.0 ± 5.6 at discharge time and 22.9 ± 6.1 during the follow-up phase. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the 2 groups (P ≤ .001). Application of the self-care program based on the modeling and role-modeling theory can play a critical role in nurturing the body image of patients with colorectal cancer.