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Review
. 2025 Jun;35(2):319-336.
doi: 10.1007/s11065-024-09639-1. Epub 2024 Apr 20.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Cognitive Function in Prostate Cancer Survivors on Hormonal Treatments: A Systematic Review

Lorna Pembroke  1   2 , Kerry A Sherman  3   4 , Heather Francis  2 , Haryana M Dhillon  5   6 , Howard Gurney  7 , David Gillatt  8
Affiliations
Review

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Cognitive Function in Prostate Cancer Survivors on Hormonal Treatments: A Systematic Review

Lorna Pembroke et al. Neuropsychol Rev. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Hormonal treatments (HT) for prostate cancer (e.g., androgen deprivation therapy) yield clinical and survival benefits, yet adverse cognitive changes may be a side effect. Since psychosocial factors are largely modifiable, interventions targeting these factors may help mitigate these adverse cognitive effects. This systematic review aimed to identify a range of psychosocial factors associated with cognitive function in individuals with prostate cancer undergoing HT and to determine whether these factors mitigate or exacerbate this effect. Applying PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of relevant databases conducted in September 2023 using terms related to prostate cancer, hormone therapy, and cognitive outcomes was undertaken. The search yielded 694 unique abstracts, with 11 studies included for analysis examining the relationship between cognitive function and the following psychosocial factors: psychological distress, fatigue, insomnia, and coping processes. Findings were mixed with only two studies reporting significant associations between cognitive performance with fatigue and depression. Three studies that included measures of perceived cognitive function identified associations with depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, illness threat appraisals, and coping styles. However, no studies found evidence for an association between self-reported and objective measures of cognitive functioning. Evidence regarding the association of interpersonal factors is lacking. Moreover, whether these factors mitigate or exacerbate the effect of HT on cognitive function still needs to be determined. Overall, the research exploring the association between psychosocial factors and cognitive function in prostate cancer survivors undergoing HT is still in its infancy. Further research is required to optimize the implementation of neuropsychological interventions for prostate cancer survivors.

Keywords: Cancer-related cognitive impairment; Hormone therapy; Neuropsychological intervention/rehabilitation; Prostate cancer; Psychosocial functioning.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical Approval: N/A Competing Interests: LP, KS, HD, HF, and DG have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. HG receives personal payments for participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board for BMS, Astellas, Astra Zenca, Roche, Ipsen, MSD, Merck Serono, and Pfizer.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the screening process
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of studies with low, high, or unclear risk of bias and applicability concerns
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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