Effects of a Cognitive Training Program on Chemotherapy-induced Cognitive Impairment (Chemobrain) in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 50
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Cognitive Function
研究概览
简要总结
Introduction: Given the increase in breast cancer survival rates, resulting from technological and biomedical advancements, it is essential to conduct an exhaustive study of the secondary symptoms associated with the oncological disease process. One of the most common and often underestimated symptoms is cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI).
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive training program in managing CRCI in individuals with breast cancer undergoing active treatment.
Methodology: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups: an Intervention Group (IG) and a Control Group (CG). The study population will consist of individuals with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. A required sample size of 50 participants has been estimated, with 25 in each group, to detect a difference equal to or greater than 2.95 points on the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) questionnaire for cognitive impairment. All participants will receive an educational leaflet based on the new WHO guidelines, which recommend specific measures to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. In addition to this informative leaflet, the IG will receive a personalized cognitive training program (CT) focused on everyday cognition (EC). Each participant will be provided with a dossier containing 80 intervention sessions. The program will be divided into four training periods (P1-P4), each consisting of 20 activities, and each period will be conducted over one month. A baseline evaluation and a follow-up at 4 months post-intervention will be conducted for both groups. The assessments will measure sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as study-related change variables related to cognitive impairment: Cognitive function (MoCA test), Everyday Cognition (PECC), Anxiety (Hamilton), Functionality (LB), Sleep quality (PSQI), Quality of life (ECOG), and Subjective memory complaints (FACT-COG).
Impact: The results of this study could lead to the design of specific cognitive interventions and the establishment of protocols for breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment. These interventions may help manage one of the most underestimated symptoms in this patient population, CRCI, whose incidence is increasing due to the higher survival rates in this disease.
详细描述
Introduction
Given the increase in breast cancer survival rates, resulting from technological and biomedical advancements, it is essential to conduct an exhaustive study of the secondary symptoms associated with the oncological disease process. One of the most common and often underestimated symptoms is cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI).
Objective
To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive training program in managing CRCI in individuals with breast cancer undergoing active treatment.
Methodology: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups: an Intervention Group (IG) and a Control Group (CG). The study population will consist of individuals with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. A required sample size of 50 participants has been estimated, with 25 in each group, to detect a difference equal to or greater than 2.95 points on the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) questionnaire for cognitive impairment. All participants will receive an educational leaflet based on the new WHO guidelines, which recommend specific measures to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. In addition to this informative leaflet, the IG will receive a personalized cognitive training program (CT) focused on everyday cognition (EC). Each participant will be provided with a dossier containing 80 intervention sessions. The program will be divided into four training periods (P1-P4), each consisting of 20 activities, and each period will be conducted over one month. A baseline evaluation and a follow-up at 4 months post-intervention will be conducted for both groups. The assessments will measure sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as study-related change variables related to cognitive impairment: Cognitive function (MoCA test), Everyday Cognition (PECC), Anxiety (Hamilton), Functionality (LB), Sleep quality (PSQI), Quality of life (ECOG), and Subjective memory complaints (FACT-COG).
Ethical Considerations
The study will be conducted after obtaining approval from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Salamanca Health Area. Informed consent will be obtained from all study participants, and data protection will be ensured.
Impact: The results of this study could lead to the design of specific cognitive interventions and the establishment of protocols for breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment. These interventions may help manage one of the most underestimated symptoms in this patient population, CRCI, whose incidence is increasing due to the higher survival rates in this disease.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Participant)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Being an adult (18 years or older). Having a recent histopathological diagnosis of newly diagnosed breast cancer and starting oncological treatment.
- •Being fully capable of performing daily functions. Willingness to voluntarily participate in the study and signing the informed consent.
排除标准
- •Lack of literacy skills or significant language comprehension deficit. Diagnosis of a Central Nervous System tumor or participation in another cognitive stimulation program.
- •Clinical diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder as defined in the DSM-V.
- •Withdrawal Criteria:
- •Dropping out of the program or not completing the final evaluation.
研究组 & 干预措施
Health Education Program
Instructions and recommendations will be provided in an informative leaflet to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, encouraging self-care and good practices. This leaflet will include the new WHO guidelines, which recommend specific measures to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. These measures are: Eating healthy foods, engaging in physical activity, maintaining social connections, playing challenging cognitive games, getting good sleep, managing stress, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
干预措施: Health Education Program (Behavioral)
Cognitive Training Program
The cognitive training program (CT) focused on everyday cognition (EC) will be conducted individually. Each participant will receive a dossier specifically designed for the study.
The intervention will consist of four training periods over a duration of 4 months (Period 1, P1; Period 2, P2; Period 3, P3; Period 4, P4), with 20 activities each. Each period will last one month (5 activities per week).
干预措施: Cognitive Training Program (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Cognitive Function
时间窗: Baseline; "4 months final";
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA Test) Version 8.3. This test detects mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by assessing executive functions, attention, abstraction, memory, calculation, and orientation. It takes about 10 minutes to administer. The maximum score is 30 points, with scores below 26 indicating MCI.
Subjective Perception of Cognitive Impairment in Cancer Patients
时间窗: Baseline; "4 months final";
FACT-COG (Version 3) (24): This 37-item questionnaire is divided into six cognitive domains: memory, concentration, mental acuity, verbal fluency, functional interference, and multitasking ability. Additionally, it includes two subscales: "notability" (comments from others) and "perceived impact of cognitive impairment on quality of life." Respondents indicate the frequency of each occurrence over the past 7 days on a 5-point Likert scale, from 0 ("never") to 4 ("several times a day"). The scores from the individual subscales are summed to determine the total FACT-Cog score, ranging from 0 to 148, with higher scores indicating better cognitive functioning.
次要结局
- Everyday Cognition(Baseline; "4 months final";)
- Anxiety(Baseline; "4 months final";)
- Functionality(Baseline; "4 months final";)
- Sleep Quality(Baseline; "4 months final";)
- Subjective Memory Failures(Baseline; "4 months final";)
研究者
Prof. Dr. Eduardo J Fernández Rodríguez
Professor
University of Salamanca