Background: Post-mastectomy exercise is an important part of female breast cancer
patients' recovery after mastectomy as well as after radiotherapy to maintain their shoulder
movement and to prevent side effects as radiation-induced fibrosis. These exercises can
increase shoulder and arm motion and usually be started in a few days. Aim: To evaluate the
effect of booklet-based education versus mobile-based education on women's arm
lymphedema and their knowledge and practice regarding post mastectomy exercise. Design:
A quasi- experimental research design was used with a pre-and post-test. Setting: The
research was conducted at the inpatient and outpatient clinic of Fayoum Oncology Center,
Fayoum governorate, Egypt. Subjects: A purposive sample of 200 post-mastectomy women
was included (100 were taught using a mobile Whats app application and 100 were taught
using a booklet). Tools: Tool I: women' structured interviewing questionnaire, it included
three parts: (a) demographic characteristics; (b) women' medical data, (c) clinical
manifestations of lymphedema include swelling, induration, skin changes, and decreased
functionality of the affected limb, Tool II: women' knowledge regarding post mastectomy
exercise, and Tool III: women' practices regarding post mastectomy exercise (pre/post).
Results: The study results indicated that the main source of knowledge among post
mastectomy women was doctors. The results revealed that the knowledge and practices of
both groups were improved post- education. The mobile-based education group showed more
improvement in their knowledge compared to the booklet -based education group. There were
statistically significant correlations between total knowledge and practice scores of the
studied women. A significant improvement was detected between the two groups regarding
improving degree of arm lymphedema post education Conclusion: Mobile-based education
was more effective in improving post-mastectomy women's knowledge and practices
regarding post mastectomy exercise than those who taught by booklet-based education.
Recommendations: Mobile- based educational methods can be used for post mastectomy
women regarding post mastectomy exercise to improve their knowledge and practices.