Other Titles
PechaKucha Presentation
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer-related cognitive decline in individuals who have undergone chemotherapy is a significant concern, especially with the increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) population. This decline can negatively impact daily functioning, work performance, and quality of life for patients with CRC. However, research on experiences of cognitive decline specifically related to patients with CRC remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to describe patients with CRC’s experiences of living with cognitive decline related to chemotherapy for individuals with CRC.
Method: A qualitative and descriptive design was used. Thirteen individuals were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experiences of cognitive decline and self-managements they used to adapt their new lives. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Analyses employed techniques from inductive content analysis to identify themes.
Results: Three main themes emerged from patients' narratives: perception and impact of cognitive decline, coping with cognitive decline, and adapting to a new normal. Perception and impact of cognitive decline included four categories: recognizing bothersome cognitive symptoms, physical and psychological distress impairing cognitive function, and suffering from cognitive decline that interferes with daily activities and work performance. Coping with cognitive decline consisted of two categories: active strategies, such as developing personal methods to manage cognitive decline and seeking help from family, and passive strategies, including the belief that the decline may improve over time or is caused by age and thus irreversible. Adapting to a new normal involved using active coping strategies, returning to work, and reconnecting with social relationships.
Conclusions: Individuals experienced negative impacts of cognitive decline after chemotherapy, but some used active coping strategies to promote positive adjustment and begin rebuilding their new-normal lives. Nurses should assess cognitive function as early as possible in patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy and manage symptoms caused by treatment to reduce cognitive distress. A deeper understanding of cognitive complaints may help guide the development of targeted and tailored interventions for prevention and supportive care, such as educational programs and strategies to improve coping, ultimately alleviating cognitive decline in long-term lives.
Notes
References:
1. Chan, Y. N., Leak Bryant, A., Conklin, J. L., Girdwood, T., Piepmeier, A., & Hirschey, R. (2021). Systematic Review of Cognitive Impairment in Colorectal Cancer Survivors Who Received Chemotherapy. Oncology nursing forum, 48(6), 634–647. https://doi.org/10.1188/21.ONF.634-647
2. Dwek, M. R., Newman, S. P., Brini, S., Holder, P., Machesney, M., Propper, D., Rixon, L. R., Hirani, S. P., & Hurt, C. S. (2023). The impact of chemotherapy on cognitive performance post-surgery in patients with colorectal cancer: A prospective cohort study. Psycho-oncology, 32(7), 1057–1066. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.6147
3. Han, C. J., Saligan, L., Crouch, A., Kalady, M. F., Noonan, A. M., Lee, L. J., & Von Ah, D. (2023). Latent class symptom profiles of colorectal cancer survivors with cancer-related cognitive impairment. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(10), 559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08031-8
4. Henderson, F. M., Cross, A. J., & Baraniak, A. R. (2019). 'A new normal with chemobrain': Experiences of the impact of chemotherapy-related cognitive deficits in long-term breast cancer survivors. Health psychology open, 6(1), 2055102919832234. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102919832234
5. Klaver, K. M., Duijts, S. F. A., Engelhardt, E. G., Geusgens, C. A. V., Aarts, M. J. B., Ponds, R. W. H. M., van der Beek, A. J., & Schagen, S. B. (2020). Cancer-related cognitive problems at work: experiences of survivors and professionals. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 14(2), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00830-5
6. Vardy, J. L., Pond, G. R., Cysique, L. A., Gates, T. M., Lagopoulos, J., Renton, C., Waite, L. M., Tannock, I. F., & Dhillon, H. M. (2022). Lack of cognitive impairment in long-term survivors of colorectal cancer. Supportive care in cancer: official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(7), 6123–6133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07008-3
7. Wang, Y., Wang, Z., Li, R., Sun, Z., Zhang, Y., & Li, Q. (2024). A Systematic Review of Cognitive Impairment in Individuals With Colorectal Cancer. Oncology nursing forum, 51(3), 275–288. https://doi.org/10.1188/24.ONF.275-288
Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Acute Care, Stress and Coping, Colorectal Cancer Patients, Cognition, Cognitive Decline
Recommended Citation
Yang, Hui-Ying; Shun, Shiow-Ching; and Chang, Yu-Ling, "Life Experience of Cognitive Decline in Individuals With Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 239.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/239
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, 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.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Life Experience of Cognitive Decline in Individuals With Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Seattle, Washington, USA
Introduction: Cancer-related cognitive decline in individuals who have undergone chemotherapy is a significant concern, especially with the increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) population. This decline can negatively impact daily functioning, work performance, and quality of life for patients with CRC. However, research on experiences of cognitive decline specifically related to patients with CRC remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to describe patients with CRC’s experiences of living with cognitive decline related to chemotherapy for individuals with CRC.
Method: A qualitative and descriptive design was used. Thirteen individuals were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experiences of cognitive decline and self-managements they used to adapt their new lives. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Analyses employed techniques from inductive content analysis to identify themes.
Results: Three main themes emerged from patients' narratives: perception and impact of cognitive decline, coping with cognitive decline, and adapting to a new normal. Perception and impact of cognitive decline included four categories: recognizing bothersome cognitive symptoms, physical and psychological distress impairing cognitive function, and suffering from cognitive decline that interferes with daily activities and work performance. Coping with cognitive decline consisted of two categories: active strategies, such as developing personal methods to manage cognitive decline and seeking help from family, and passive strategies, including the belief that the decline may improve over time or is caused by age and thus irreversible. Adapting to a new normal involved using active coping strategies, returning to work, and reconnecting with social relationships.
Conclusions: Individuals experienced negative impacts of cognitive decline after chemotherapy, but some used active coping strategies to promote positive adjustment and begin rebuilding their new-normal lives. Nurses should assess cognitive function as early as possible in patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy and manage symptoms caused by treatment to reduce cognitive distress. A deeper understanding of cognitive complaints may help guide the development of targeted and tailored interventions for prevention and supportive care, such as educational programs and strategies to improve coping, ultimately alleviating cognitive decline in long-term lives.
Description
Patients with colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy reported cognitive decline and suffering from it in their survivor lives. Active coping strategies were conducted to overcome problems and improve cognitive function. A comprehensive assessment is essential for understanding the true nature of the cognitive challenges faced by patients with CRC.