Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effect of online and offline rehabilitation intervention on the function of upper limb and body image among patients with breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Convenience sampling was applied and a total of 117 cases of postoperative breast reconstruction patients who underwent surgery in the department of plastic surgery for breast cancer were recruited from January 2017 to January 2019. Potential participants were randomly divided into the intervention group (n=59) or control group (n=58). Patients in the control group received routine nursing care. The intervention group received online and offline rehabilitation intervention mode on top of routine nursing practice. The DASH simple upper limb function assessment scale was used to evaluate the upper limb function of the patients, and the body image self-rating scale and quality of life scale for breast cancer patients were used to evaluate the body image and quality of life of the patients. Data collection were conducted at 2-week and 12-month after surgery. Results: The results showed that 12 months after the operation, the upper limb function, quality of life and self-evaluation of body image in the intervention group were significantly improved than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: The online and offline rehabilitation intervention can promote the rehabilitation of upper limb function, and improve the body image level and quality of life of patients with breast reconstruction patients after breast cancer surgery.

Key words: breast reconstruction; quality of life; body image; case management; upper limb function