Objective To explore the effect of empowerment theory-based continuous nursing on psychological stress in patients with bromidrosis treated by gold microneedle radiofrequency. Methods A total of 118 patients with bromidrosis who underwent gold microneedle radiofrequency treatment at the First Afffliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2022 to March 2025 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the reference group and the study group, with 59 patients in each group. The reference group received conventional nursing intervention, and the study group received empowerment theory-based continuous nursing. The psychological stress, complications, self-perceived burden and quality of life were compared between the two groups. Results At 30 days after operation, the scores of GAD-7 and PHQ-9 in the two groups were lower than those before operation, and those in the study group were lower than those in the reference group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group (5.08%) was lower than that in the reference group (16.95%) (P<0.05). At 30 days after operation, the scores of emotional, economic, physical and total score in the two groups were lower than those before operation, and those in the study group were lower than those in the reference group (P<0.05). At 30 days after operation, the scores of all dimensions of QLS in the two groups were higher than those before operation, and those in the study group were higher than those in the reference group (P<0.05). Conclusion Empowerment theory-based continuous nursing can improve the psychological stress of patients with bromidrosis treated by gold microneedle radiofrequency, reduce the incidence of complications, alleviate self-perceived burden, and improve quality of life.