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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

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11-05-2021 | Breast Cancer

Subjective cognition and mood in persistent chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment

Authors: Jennifer N. Vega, Kimberly M. Albert, Ingrid A. Mayer, Warren D. Taylor, Paul A. Newhouse

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Persistent chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is commonly reported following cancer treatment and negatively affects quality of life. While past research has focused on potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship, the role of psychological factors, such as mood, stress, and anxiety, in the development of persistent CRCI has received less attention. As an additional analysis of data from a trial investigating the effects of transdermal nicotine patches on cognitive performance in patients with persistent CRCI, we examined whether change in mood was associated with changes in subjective and objective cognitive functioning.

Methods

Participants were randomized to either placebo (n = 11) or transdermal nicotine (n = 11) for 6 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of treatment withdrawal for a total of 8 weeks. Participants were assessed using behavioral, subjective, and objective measures of cognitive functioning and mood at five visits before, during, and after treatment.

Results

Although we did not detect an effect of treatment assignment on mood, over the course of the study, we observed a significant improvement on measures of mood that correlated with improvement in subjective and objective cognitive performance.

Conclusions

We observed improvement in objective and subjective cognitive performance measures. These changes were associated with improvement in subsyndromal mood symptoms, likely resulting from participation in the trial itself.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

These results suggest that women with persistent CRCI may benefit from support and validation of their cognitive complaints, cognitive rehabilitation/therapies into their post-cancer care.

Trial Registration

The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (trial registration: NCT02312943).

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Subjective cognition and mood in persistent chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment
Authors: Jennifer N. Vega
Kimberly M. Albert
Ingrid A. Mayer
Warren D. Taylor
Paul A. Newhouse
Publication date: 11-05-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Confusion
Breast Cancer
Cytostatic Therapy
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01055-1

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Trial Registration

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