Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Sep;30(9):7457-7467.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-07182-4. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Randomized double-masked controlled trial of cognitive training in breast cancer survivors: a preliminary study

Diane Von Ah  1 , Brenna C McDonald  2 , Adele D Crouch  3 , Susan Ofner  2 , Susan Perkins  2 , Susan Storey  4 , Robert Considine  2 , Fred Unverzagt  5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized double-masked controlled trial of cognitive training in breast cancer survivors: a preliminary study

Diane Von Ah et al. Support Care Cancer. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the acceptability, satisfaction, and preliminary efficacy of cognitive training for improving cognitive function and health outcomes in breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Patients and methods: BCS enrolled in this 2-group randomized, double-masked controlled trial of cognitive training. Primary outcomes included the acceptability and satisfaction of the interventions. Secondary outcomes included examining the effect size and reliable improvement of perceived cognitive function and health outcomes, including work ability, health perception (status and change), and quality of life. Exploratory outcomes were performance on neuropsychological tests and plasma levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Data were collected at baseline and immediately post-intervention. Using ANCOVA models, the intervention was compared to attention control while adjusting for covariates and baseline values. The effect sizes for differences in means and the reliable improvement percentage were reported.

Results: Thirty-six BCS completed the study and were on average 57.6 (SD = 8.0) years old, 59.4% Caucasian, and had some college education (74.5%). Both programs were reported to be satisfactory and acceptable. Non-significant small effect sizes were noted for the intervention on cognitive abilities (d = 0.26) and cognitive concerns (d = - 0.32), with reliable improvement noted in 32% and 28% of BCS, respectively. Small to medium effect sizes were noted in improvement in work ability (d = 0.37) and health perception status (d = 0.30) and change (d = 0.60, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Cognitive training was acceptable to BCS and resulted in improvement in perceived cognitive function and perceptions of "real-world" health benefits. A larger randomized controlled trial is warranted to determine its effectiveness for objective cognitive performance.

Keywords: Breast cancer survivors; Cognitive training; Perceived cognitive impairment; Quality of life.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT diagram RCT cognitive training vs. active attention control
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intervention acceptability and satisfaction
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Ganz PA, Van Dyk K (2020) Cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer: understanding the impact of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. J Clin Oncol JCO2000336. 10.1200/JCO.20.00336 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Shilling V, Jenkins V. Self-reported cognitive problems in women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2007;11(1):6–15. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2006.02.005. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Janelsins MC, Keler SR, Ahles TA, Morrow GR. Prevalence, mechanisms, and management of cancer-related cognitive impairment. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2014;26(1):102–113. doi: 10.3109/09540261.2013.864260. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Janelsins MC, Heckler CE, Peppone LJ, Kamen C, Mustian KM, Mohile SG, et al. Cognitive complaints in survivors of breast cancer after chemotherapy compared with age-matched controls: an analysis from a nationwide, multicenter, prospective longitudinal study. J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(5):506–514. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.68.5826. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Janelsins MC, Heckler CE, Peppone LJ, Ahles TA, Mohile KM, Mustian KM, et al. Longitudinal trajectory and characterization of cancer-related cognitive impairment in a nationwide cohort study. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(32):3231–3239. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.6624. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types