Effects of a Web-Based Alopecia Education Program in Women With Breast Cancer

Body image was assessed using the 40-item Body Image Scale. Each item is scored from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 40 to 200. Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction with body image, whereas scores below 135 indicate lower body-image satisfaction. Changes in scores over time and differences between the web-based alopecia education group and the routine-care control group were evaluated.

Self-esteem was assessed using the 10-item self-esteem subscale of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Items are scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem. Changes in scores over time and differences between the intervention and control groups were evaluated.

Psychological well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index Score (WHO-5 Well-Being Index Score). Each item is scored from 0 to 5, yielding a raw score ranging from 0 to 25. The raw score was multiplied by four to obtain a percentage score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better psychological well-being, whereas scores below 50 indicate low well-being and the need for further evaluation. Changes in scores over time and differences between the web-based alopecia education group and the routine-care control group were evaluated.

Alopecia-related quality of life was assessed using the 19-item Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Quality of Life Scale. Each item is scored from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 19 to 95. The scale comprises three subdomains: impact on general life, negative impact on inner life, and positive thoughts. Items 2, 15, 16, and 17 are reverse scored. Higher total scores indicate better alopecia-related quality of life, whereas lower scores indicate greater deterioration in quality of life. The scale was administered before the second and final chemotherapy cycles; it was not administered before the first chemotherapy cycle because participants had not yet experienced chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Changes in scores over time and differences between the web-based alopecia education group and the routine-care control group were evaluated.

Alopecia Information Form-1 (Alopecia Characteristics and Self-Care Practices) was a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the literature. It assessed chemotherapy-induced alopecia severity using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.03 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03); scalp condition; distribution and onset of scalp hair loss; hair loss in other body regions; timing of hair loss in different body regions; and practices used to prevent, reduce, or manage hair loss. The form also included items on employment status during treatment and the perceived impact of treatment-related expenses on the participant's budget. The form did not generate a total score. Responses were recorded as categorical variables and summarized as frequencies and percentages for the intervention and control groups.

Alopecia Information Form-2 (Alopecia Management and Psychosocial Responses) was a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the literature. It assessed chemotherapy-induced alopecia severity using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.03 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03); hair loss in other body regions; use of wigs, scarves, hats, or other appearance-management and camouflage methods; practices intended to promote hair regrowth; changes in mirror-viewing frequency; and thoughts and emotional responses related to scalp and body-hair loss. The form did not generate a total score. Responses were recorded as categorical variables and summarized as frequencies and percentages for the intervention and control groups.

The acceptability and perceived usefulness of the web-based alopecia education program were assessed in the intervention group using a four-item researcher-developed Web-Based Alopecia Education Program Evaluation Form. The form assessed whether the program helped participants cope with chemotherapy-induced alopecia, which section of the program was perceived as most helpful, whether any section was considered unhelpful, and whether participants would recommend the program to other women experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The form did not generate a total score. Responses were recorded as categorical variables and summarized as frequencies and percentages.

The perceived usability of the web-based alopecia education program was assessed in the intervention group using the 10-item System Usability Scale. Each item was rated on a 5-point response scale from 0 to 4. Negatively worded items were reverse scored. Adjusted item scores were summed and multiplied by 2.5 to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater perceived usability.

Website engagement was recorded through the administrative panel. Measures included the total number of website visits and the cumulative duration of website use in minutes during the intervention period.