Abstract
Background
A majority of breast cancer (BC) survivors, particularly those treated with chemotherapy,
experience long-term cognitive deficits that significantly reduce quality of life.
Among the cognitive domains most commonly affected include executive functions (EF),
such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, multitasking, planning, and attention.
Previous studies in other populations have shown that cognitive training, a behavioral
method for treating cognitive deficits, can result in significant improvements in
a number of cognitive skills, including EF.
Materials and Methods
In this study, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the feasibility
and preliminary effectiveness of a novel, online EF training program in long-term
BC survivors. A total of 41 BC survivors (21 active, 20 wait list) completed the 48
session training program over 12 weeks. The participants were, on average, 6 years
after therapy.
Results
Cognitive training led to significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, verbal
fluency and processing speed, with marginally significant downstream improvements
in verbal memory as assessed via standardized measures. Self-ratings of EF skills,
including planning, organizing, and task monitoring, also were improved in the active
group compared with the wait list group.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that EF skills may be improved even in long-term survivors by
using a computerized, home-based intervention program. These improvements may potentially
include subjective EF skills, which suggest a transfer of the training program to
real-world behaviors.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 06, 2013
Accepted:
February 4,
2013
Received in revised form:
January 25,
2013
Received:
September 28,
2012
Epub: Apr 3, 2013Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
