Evaluating the suitability of the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform System of Task Analysis (PRPP-A) for assessing work-related cognitive difficulties in women after breast cancer: A comparison with Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).

Australian occupational therapy journal · 2026 · Pilot · OT
Joanne Lewis, Lynette Mackenzie, Chris Chapparo, Judy Ranka

In 12 women after breast cancer, a structured cognitive interview (PRPP-A) tracked with computerised neuropsychological tests and flagged attention and planning difficulties that were linked to reduced work. Too small to change practice, but a starting point for OTs assessing work-related cognitive change.

Key findings

1

All 12 women showed individual difficulties in applying cognitive strategies during work tasks, with the Plan quadrant (planning, sequencing, evaluating) having the lowest average scores; the weakest sub-scores were Continuing (47.08) and Initiating (56.92) on a 33-to-100 scale.

2

Significant correlations were found between CANTAB and PRPP-A scores in three corresponding domains: attention (RVP–Attending, τ = 0.752, P = 0.002), memory (DMS–Facts, τ = 0.661, P = 0.008), and executive function (SWM–Programming, τ = −0.831, P < 0.001), suggesting the two tools measure overlapping constructs.

3

PRPP-A Total Perceive (AUC = 0.969) and Total Plan (AUC = 0.734) showed predictive ability for women not returning to pre-cancer roles, but the authors note that with only 12 participants these estimates are unstable and should be interpreted with caution.

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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Summarised by AI from the abstract, not the full paper. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed