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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Oct;135(3):799-809.
doi: 10.1007/s10549-012-2210-6. Epub 2012 Aug 24.

Advanced cognitive training for breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

Diane Von Ah  1 , Janet S Carpenter, Andrew Saykin, Patrick Monahan, Jingwei Wu, Menggang Yu, George Rebok, Karlene Ball, Bryan Schneider, Michael Weaver, Eileen Tallman, Fred Unverzagt
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Advanced cognitive training for breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

Diane Von Ah et al. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Oct.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and satisfaction/acceptability of training in memory or speed of processing versus wait-list control for improving cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. 82 breast cancer survivors completed a three-group randomized, controlled trial. Primary outcomes were objective neuropsychological tests of memory and speed of processing. Secondary outcomes were perceived cognitive functioning, symptom distress (mood disturbance, anxiety, and fatigue), quality of life, and intervention satisfaction/acceptability. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up. Using repeated-measures mixed-linear ANCOVA models, each intervention was compared to wait-list control while adjusting for age, education, and baseline measures. The effect sizes for differences in means and the reliable improvement percentage were reported. The results show that domain-specific effects were seen for both interventions: memory training improved memory performance at 2-month follow-up (p = 0.036, d = 0.59); speed of processing training improved processing speed post-intervention (p = 0.040, d = 0.55) and 2-month follow-up (p = 0.016; d = 0.67). Transfer effects to non-trained domains were seen for speed of processing training with improved memory post-intervention (p = 0.007, d = 0.75) and 2-month follow-up (p = 0.004, d = 0.82). Both interventions were associated with improvements in perceived cognitive functioning, symptom distress, and quality of life. Ratings of satisfaction/acceptability were high for both interventions. It was concluded that while both interventions appeared promising, speed of processing training resulted in immediate and durable improvements in objective measures of processing speed and verbal memory. Speed of processing training may have broader benefits in this clinical population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Posit Science Corporation is the developer of the speed of processing (Insight®) program used in this study. Posit Science Corporation holds the patent for and a proprietary interest in this software. The software was provided at cost of the CD by Posit Science. Dr. Karlene Ball is on the Board of Directors of Posit Science and has stock in the company. Dr. Unverzagt has received support for training for an investigator initiated research from Posit Science.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Consort diagram. Participant flow diagram
Fig 2
Fig 2
Forest plot of effect sizes and confidence intervals for memory training compared to wait-list control at both time points
Fig 3
Fig 3
Forest plot of effect sizes and confidence intervals for speed of processing training compared to wait-list control at both time points
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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