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chemotherapy
Photo by Rhoda Baer
A new study suggests a computer program known as InsightTM may help improve cognitive function and overall well-being in cancer survivors.
The study included subjects who reported persistent problems with concentration and/or memory after receiving chemotherapy.
Using the Insight program significantly improved the subjects’ self-reported cognitive function and lowered their levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stress.
However, there was no significant difference in the results of objective neuropsychological function tests between subjects who used the Insight program and subjects who received standard care.
These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest cognitive intervention study that has shown a benefit for patients who are reporting persistent cognitive symptoms following chemotherapy,” said study author Victoria J. Bray, MD, of the University of Sydney in Australia.
About the study
Dr Bray and her colleagues enrolled 242 adult cancer survivors in Australia who had completed at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy in the prior 6 months to 60 months and reported persistent cognitive symptoms.
The subjects’ median age was 53 (range, 23 to 74). Nearly all were women (95%), and 89% had survived breast cancer.
At the beginning of the study, all subjects received a personalized, 30-minute telephone consultation that provided tips and strategies for coping with cognitive problems in daily life.
Subjects were then randomized to Insight (used at home) or standard oncology care per their treating physician.
The primary outcome of the study was self-reported cognitive function, which was assessed using a validated questionnaire known as FACT-COG. It evaluates perceived cognitive impairments, perceived cognitive abilities, and the impact of perceived cognitive impairment on quality of life.
Separate measures were used to evaluate objective neuropsychological function, anxiety/depression, fatigue, and stress.
About the intervention
Dr Bray and her colleagues described Insight as a neurocognitive learning program that uses exercises intended to improve cognition through speed and accuracy of information processing.
The program targets visual precision, divided attention, working memory, field of view, and visual processing speed, which are frequently affected in patients with cancer.
Subjects received the Insight program in disc form and were advised to use the program for 40 minutes 4 times a week for 15 weeks (40 hours total). The program had a built-in measure that could determine subjects’ compliance.
Key findings
Self-reported cognitive function was significantly better in the Insight group than the standard care group, both at the end of the 15-week program and 6 months later.
In addition, Insight participants had significantly lower levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue immediately after the intervention, significant improvements in quality of life at 6 months, and significant improvements in stress at both time points.
Results of objective neuropsychological function tests were not significantly different between the Insight group and the standard care group, either immediately after the intervention or at 6 months.
Next steps
The researchers said longer follow-up is needed to determine if the effects of the Insight program are long-lasting. And there are still a number of other unanswered questions to be addressed in future research.
For one, it is unclear which method of delivering cognitive rehabilitation is better. A self-directed program such as this one may be suitable for some cancer survivors, while a group-based program may work better for others. It’s also unclear what the ideal duration and “dose” of cognitive training should be.
“If we could identify patients who are at risk of cognitive impairment, we could intervene earlier and possibly achieve even better results,” Dr Bray said. “We would also like to explore whether there is added benefit from combining cognitive training with physical exercise.” 
chemotherapy
Photo by Rhoda Baer
A new study suggests a computer program known as InsightTM may help improve cognitive function and overall well-being in cancer survivors.
The study included subjects who reported persistent problems with concentration and/or memory after receiving chemotherapy.
Using the Insight program significantly improved the subjects’ self-reported cognitive function and lowered their levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stress.
However, there was no significant difference in the results of objective neuropsychological function tests between subjects who used the Insight program and subjects who received standard care.
These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest cognitive intervention study that has shown a benefit for patients who are reporting persistent cognitive symptoms following chemotherapy,” said study author Victoria J. Bray, MD, of the University of Sydney in Australia.
About the study
Dr Bray and her colleagues enrolled 242 adult cancer survivors in Australia who had completed at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy in the prior 6 months to 60 months and reported persistent cognitive symptoms.
The subjects’ median age was 53 (range, 23 to 74). Nearly all were women (95%), and 89% had survived breast cancer.
At the beginning of the study, all subjects received a personalized, 30-minute telephone consultation that provided tips and strategies for coping with cognitive problems in daily life.
Subjects were then randomized to Insight (used at home) or standard oncology care per their treating physician.
The primary outcome of the study was self-reported cognitive function, which was assessed using a validated questionnaire known as FACT-COG. It evaluates perceived cognitive impairments, perceived cognitive abilities, and the impact of perceived cognitive impairment on quality of life.
Separate measures were used to evaluate objective neuropsychological function, anxiety/depression, fatigue, and stress.
About the intervention
Dr Bray and her colleagues described Insight as a neurocognitive learning program that uses exercises intended to improve cognition through speed and accuracy of information processing.
The program targets visual precision, divided attention, working memory, field of view, and visual processing speed, which are frequently affected in patients with cancer.
Subjects received the Insight program in disc form and were advised to use the program for 40 minutes 4 times a week for 15 weeks (40 hours total). The program had a built-in measure that could determine subjects’ compliance.
Key findings
Self-reported cognitive function was significantly better in the Insight group than the standard care group, both at the end of the 15-week program and 6 months later.
In addition, Insight participants had significantly lower levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue immediately after the intervention, significant improvements in quality of life at 6 months, and significant improvements in stress at both time points.
Results of objective neuropsychological function tests were not significantly different between the Insight group and the standard care group, either immediately after the intervention or at 6 months.
Next steps
The researchers said longer follow-up is needed to determine if the effects of the Insight program are long-lasting. And there are still a number of other unanswered questions to be addressed in future research.
For one, it is unclear which method of delivering cognitive rehabilitation is better. A self-directed program such as this one may be suitable for some cancer survivors, while a group-based program may work better for others. It’s also unclear what the ideal duration and “dose” of cognitive training should be.
“If we could identify patients who are at risk of cognitive impairment, we could intervene earlier and possibly achieve even better results,” Dr Bray said. “We would also like to explore whether there is added benefit from combining cognitive training with physical exercise.”
chemotherapy
Photo by Rhoda Baer
A new study suggests a computer program known as InsightTM may help improve cognitive function and overall well-being in cancer survivors.
The study included subjects who reported persistent problems with concentration and/or memory after receiving chemotherapy.
Using the Insight program significantly improved the subjects’ self-reported cognitive function and lowered their levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stress.
However, there was no significant difference in the results of objective neuropsychological function tests between subjects who used the Insight program and subjects who received standard care.
These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest cognitive intervention study that has shown a benefit for patients who are reporting persistent cognitive symptoms following chemotherapy,” said study author Victoria J. Bray, MD, of the University of Sydney in Australia.
About the study
Dr Bray and her colleagues enrolled 242 adult cancer survivors in Australia who had completed at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy in the prior 6 months to 60 months and reported persistent cognitive symptoms.
The subjects’ median age was 53 (range, 23 to 74). Nearly all were women (95%), and 89% had survived breast cancer.
At the beginning of the study, all subjects received a personalized, 30-minute telephone consultation that provided tips and strategies for coping with cognitive problems in daily life.
Subjects were then randomized to Insight (used at home) or standard oncology care per their treating physician.
The primary outcome of the study was self-reported cognitive function, which was assessed using a validated questionnaire known as FACT-COG. It evaluates perceived cognitive impairments, perceived cognitive abilities, and the impact of perceived cognitive impairment on quality of life.
Separate measures were used to evaluate objective neuropsychological function, anxiety/depression, fatigue, and stress.
About the intervention
Dr Bray and her colleagues described Insight as a neurocognitive learning program that uses exercises intended to improve cognition through speed and accuracy of information processing.
The program targets visual precision, divided attention, working memory, field of view, and visual processing speed, which are frequently affected in patients with cancer.
Subjects received the Insight program in disc form and were advised to use the program for 40 minutes 4 times a week for 15 weeks (40 hours total). The program had a built-in measure that could determine subjects’ compliance.
Key findings
Self-reported cognitive function was significantly better in the Insight group than the standard care group, both at the end of the 15-week program and 6 months later.
In addition, Insight participants had significantly lower levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue immediately after the intervention, significant improvements in quality of life at 6 months, and significant improvements in stress at both time points.
Results of objective neuropsychological function tests were not significantly different between the Insight group and the standard care group, either immediately after the intervention or at 6 months.
Next steps
The researchers said longer follow-up is needed to determine if the effects of the Insight program are long-lasting. And there are still a number of other unanswered questions to be addressed in future research.
For one, it is unclear which method of delivering cognitive rehabilitation is better. A self-directed program such as this one may be suitable for some cancer survivors, while a group-based program may work better for others. It’s also unclear what the ideal duration and “dose” of cognitive training should be.
“If we could identify patients who are at risk of cognitive impairment, we could intervene earlier and possibly achieve even better results,” Dr Bray said. “We would also like to explore whether there is added benefit from combining cognitive training with physical exercise.”