Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of a WeChat-based self-help psychological intervention combined with rehabilitation exercises on disease acceptance, psychological distress, psychological resilience, and mindfulness levels in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: From February 2018 to February 2019, eighty patients diagnosed with breast cancer were non-randomly assigned to an observation group (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40). The control group received standard WeChat-based health education, while the observation group received an additional intervention involving self-help psychological strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal, gratitude journaling) and rehabilitation exercises (e.g., abdominal breathing, aerobic activity). Validated instruments including the Self-Acceptance Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Psychological Distress Thermometer, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were used to measure outcomes pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Post-intervention, the observation group showed significantly greater improvements in self-acceptance, positive emotions, resilience, and mindfulness compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Psychological distress, negative emotions, and fear-related death attitudes (e.g., escape acceptance, fear of death) significantly decreased in the observation group compared to control (P < 0.05). Nursing satisfaction was also significantly higher in the observation group (95%) than in the control group (75%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: WeChat-based self-help psychological interventions combined with rehabilitation exercises are effective in improving psychological resilience, mindfulness, and disease acceptance while reducing emotional distress in breast cancer patients. These results support the integration of mobile health platforms in psycho-oncological care. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.