Cognitive Rehabilitation for Cognitive Dysfunction after Cancer and Cancer Treatment: Implications for Nursing Practice.
Diane Von Ah, Adele Crouch
PMID 31959511WHAT IT FOUND
Cognitive rehabilitation for cancer survivors showed positive effects on memory and processing speed, but studies were small and gains often faded.
It supports assessment and discussion of cognitive training, not proven treatment.
Key findings
01The review included 27 interventional studies of 1543 cancer survivors, mostly breast cancer survivors, with small samples.
02Cognitive training showed positive effects in all but one study, with small to moderate effects.
03CBT studies found some positive effects, but results were often mixed or not sustained beyond initial post-treatment time frames.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Most studies had small samples, often fewer than 100 participants. Many studies used waitlist or no-contact controls instead of attention controls. The reviewed participants were mostly middle-aged, highly educated female breast cancer survivors, so results may not apply to other cancer groups. CBT effects were often mixed and not sustained beyond initial post-treatment time frames. CT effects were positive in most studies but came from level II to IV evidence and varied in dose and delivery. The review did not provide enough evidence about cost, access or practical implementation.
Declared interests
The article is tagged as supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research; no competing interests are stated.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that any cognitive rehabilitation programme will improve a cancer survivor's thinking. The review included small studies, mostly in breast cancer survivors, and many positive effects were mixed or not sustained.