Cerebral blood flow and structural connectivity after working memory or physical training in paediatric cancer survivors - Exploratory findings

• Published in: Neuropsychological rehabilitation pp. 1 - 27
• Main Authors: Schuerch, Kirstin, Grieder, Matthias, Benzing, Valetin, Siegwart, Valerie, Federspiel, Andrea, Slavova, Nedelina, Kiefer, Claus, Roessler, Jochen, Everts, Regula
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 29-05-2024
• Subjects: Paediatric cancer survivors; Physical training; Cerebral blood flow; Structural connectivity; Working memory training
• ISSN: 0960-2011; 1464-0694; 1464-0694
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2024.2356294

Paediatric cancer survivors often suffer from cognitive long-term difficulties. Consequently, strengthening cognition is of major clinical relevance. This study investigated cerebral changes in relation to cognition in non-brain tumour paediatric cancer survivors after working memory or physical training compared to a control group. Thirty-four children (≥one-year post-treatment) either underwent eight weeks of working memory training (
 = 10), physical training (
 = 11), or a waiting period (
 = 13). Cognition and MRI, including arterial spin labelling and diffusion tensor imaging, were assessed at three time points (baseline, post-training, and three-month follow-up). Results show lower cerebral blood flow immediately after working memory training (
 = -2.073,
 = .038) and higher structural connectivity at the three-month follow-up (
 = -2.240,
 = .025). No cerebral changes occurred after physical training. Short-term changes in cerebral blood flow correlated with short-term changes in cognitive flexibility (
 = -.667,
 = .049), while long-term changes in structural connectivity correlated with long-term changes in working memory (
 = .786,
 = .021). Despite the caution given when interpreting data from small samples, this study suggests a link between working memory training and neurophysiological changes. Further research is needed to validate these findings.