Background: Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women worldwide. With an 
estimated 2.1 million new cases being diagnosed each year and accounting for 24.2% of all 
cancer diagnoses among women, it is the most frequent disease in women. Virtual reality-based 
rehabilitation (VRBR) is a relatively new method that might make it easier to simulate doing 
functional tasks than conventional rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to compare the 
effect of Virtual Reality- based rehabilitation program versus booklet-based education on selfcare practices and prevention of complications among women after modified radical 
mastectomy. Design: A quasi-experimental (Case-Control) research design was used to carry out 
this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Damanhour oncology center in El-Beheira 
governorate. Sample: A convenient sample of 100 female patients was included in the study.
Tools of data collection: Three tools were used for data collection Tool I: Socio-Demographic 
characteristics and Health Profile Structured Interview questionnaire. Tool II: Self-care practices 
of modified radical mastectomy structured interview schedule. Tool III: Early post modified 
radical mastectomy complications checklist. Result: Virtual reality group has higher mean 
scores than the booklet group in relation to all the studied dimensions as well as the total score of 
the self-care practices. The differences are statistically significant in all studied items (P= 0.000), 
except for some items such as follow-up (P=0.305), pain management (P=0.051), skin care 
(P=0.722) and proper nutrition (P=0.794). Conclusion: According to the findings of the current 
study it can be concluded that virtual reality-based rehabilitation program is more effective than 
booklet-based rehabilitation program in improving self-care practices and prevention of 
complications among women after mastectomy. Recommendation: The application of virtual 
reality-based rehabilitation programs after mastectomy should be incorporated into the daily care 
of post-mastectomy women in oncology centers and hospitals.