Abstract
Background: Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI), often termed "chemo brain," impacts 50-70% of chemotherapy patients and 12-75% of cancer survivors, with symptoms such as memory difficulties, attention issues, and executive dysfunction potentially lasting up to 20 years. Most research has centered on breast cancer, leaving gaps for other cancer types. Non-treatment factors can also induce CRCI, including the cancer itself. The mechanisms of CRCI share similarities with Alzheimer's disease. Currently, there is no standardized assessment tool for CRCI, emphasizing the need for tailored evaluation methods.
Objective/Specific Aims: This study aims to assess CRCI in patients with current cancer diagnoses and explore how CRCI affects their caregivers. Four specific aims include: 1) assessing cognitive decline in patients and comparing it to caregiver perceptions, 2) exploring caregivers’ views on the usability of cognitive screening tools, 3) evaluating caregiver burden in relation to patients' cognitive functioning, and 4) identifying educational and intervention needs for patient safety at home.
Study Design: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study will integrate quantitative and qualitative assessments. Cognitive decline in chemotherapy patients will be measured with a standardized tool, also administered to caregivers. Caregiver burden and the usability of cognitive screening tools will be evaluated through validated questionnaires and the analysis of responses to open-ended questions.
Cancer Relevance: This study focuses on survivorship research aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and caregivers. It addresses significant gaps in current CRCI research and is particularly relevant to Oklahoma, a state with high cancer incidence and mortality rates. The focus on collaboration between patient, caregiver, and healthcare team reflects the Biennium theme of "Represent. Reflect. Respect. Respond." by advancing holistic and inclusive approaches necessary to improve cancer survivorship outcomes.
Notes
References:
Haywood D, Dauer E, Baughman FD, Lawrence BJ, Rossell SL, Hart NH, & O'Connor, M. (2023). Is my brain ever going to work fully again? Challenges and needs of cancer survivors with persistent cancer-related cognitive impairment. Cancers, 15. doi: 10.3390/cancers15225331
Janelsins MC, Heckler CE, Peppone LJ, et al. Cognitive complaints in survivors of breast cancer after chemotherapy compared with age-matched controls: an analysis from a nationwide, multicenter, prospective longitudinal study. J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(5):506-514. doi: 10.1200/JClinOncol.2016.68.5826
Mayo, SJ, Lustberg M, Dhillon HM, Nakamura ZM, Allen DH, Von Ah D, Janelsins MC, Chan A, Olson K, Tan CJ, Toh YL, Oh J, Grech L, Cheung YT, Subbiah IM, Petranovic D, D'Olimpio J, Gobbo M, Koeppen S, … Peters KB. (2021). Cancer-related cognitive impairment in patients with non-central nervous system malignancies: an overview for oncology providers from the MASCC neurological complications study group. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29, 2821-2840. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05860-9
Additional references included in attached poster.
Sigma Membership
Beta Delta at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Hospice, Palliative Care, or End-of-Life, Acute Care, Instrument and Tool Development, Promoting Clinical Outcomes, Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment, Chemo Brain, Assessing Cognitive Impairment, Caregiver Perception
Recommended Citation
Fisher-Cunningham, Katy and Anderson, Trista Michelle, "Assessment of Cognitive Decline During Cancer Treatment: A Mixed-Methods Study" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 57.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/posters_2025/57
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-05
Assessment of Cognitive Decline During Cancer Treatment: A Mixed-Methods Study
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Background: Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI), often termed "chemo brain," impacts 50-70% of chemotherapy patients and 12-75% of cancer survivors, with symptoms such as memory difficulties, attention issues, and executive dysfunction potentially lasting up to 20 years. Most research has centered on breast cancer, leaving gaps for other cancer types. Non-treatment factors can also induce CRCI, including the cancer itself. The mechanisms of CRCI share similarities with Alzheimer's disease. Currently, there is no standardized assessment tool for CRCI, emphasizing the need for tailored evaluation methods.
Objective/Specific Aims: This study aims to assess CRCI in patients with current cancer diagnoses and explore how CRCI affects their caregivers. Four specific aims include: 1) assessing cognitive decline in patients and comparing it to caregiver perceptions, 2) exploring caregivers’ views on the usability of cognitive screening tools, 3) evaluating caregiver burden in relation to patients' cognitive functioning, and 4) identifying educational and intervention needs for patient safety at home.
Study Design: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study will integrate quantitative and qualitative assessments. Cognitive decline in chemotherapy patients will be measured with a standardized tool, also administered to caregivers. Caregiver burden and the usability of cognitive screening tools will be evaluated through validated questionnaires and the analysis of responses to open-ended questions.
Cancer Relevance: This study focuses on survivorship research aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and caregivers. It addresses significant gaps in current CRCI research and is particularly relevant to Oklahoma, a state with high cancer incidence and mortality rates. The focus on collaboration between patient, caregiver, and healthcare team reflects the Biennium theme of "Represent. Reflect. Respect. Respond." by advancing holistic and inclusive approaches necessary to improve cancer survivorship outcomes.
Description
The study aims to compare patient-reported cognitive decline with caregiver assessment, evaluate caregiver perceptions of cognitive screening tools, assess caregiver burden, and identify educational and intervention needs. Preliminary findings are expected to highlight discrepancies between patient and caregiver to perceptions, demonstrate the need to create tailored screening tools, and reveal a need for targeted educational interventions to improve patient safety and relieve caregiving burden.