Effectiveness of a Computerized Home-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program for Treating Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 20; no. 6; p. 4953
• Main Authors: Tapia, Jose L, Taberner-Bonastre, María Teresa, Collado-Martínez, David, Pouptsis, Athanasios, Núñez-Abad, Martín, Duñabeitia, Jon Andoni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 11-03-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Clinical medicine; Clinical practice guidelines; Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy; Cognitive tasks; Executive function; Female; Humans; Intervention; Medical diagnosis; Medical prognosis; Memory; Mental disorders; Oncology; Patients; Quality of Life; Skills; Stimulation; cognitive intervention; computerized cognitive stimulation; chemo-brain; cancer; chemo-fog; cognitive decline; oncology
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064953

Cancer patients assert that after chemotherapy their cognitive abilities have deteriorated. Cognitive stimulation is the clinical treatment of choice for reversing cognitive decline. The current study describes a computerized home-based cognitive stimulation program in patients who survived breast cancer. It aims to assess safety and effectiveness of cognitive stimulation in the oncology population. A series of 45-min training sessions was completed by the participants. A thorough assessment was performed both before and after the intervention. The mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, the Cognitive Assessment for Chemo Fog Research, and the Functionality Assessment Instrument in Cancer Treatment-Cognitive Function served as the main assessment tools. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Measuring Quality of Life-The World Health Organization data were gathered as secondary outcomes. Home-based cognitive stimulation demonstrated beneficial effects in the oncology population, with no side effects being reported. Cognitive, physical, and emotional improvements were observed, along with decreased interference in daily life activities and a better overall quality of life.