Computerized Cognitive Training for Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Pediatric patients meeting initial eligibility criteria will be identified through the databases for each clinic (n = approximately 50 survivors in each clinic). A letter explaining the purpose of the study will then be sent to the parents of these patients. Interested parents will be invited to contact study personnel by phone or email for a thorough review of the study and to schedule a screening appointment.

After obtaining written informed consent and assent (from parents and child, respectively), screening procedures will include administration of an abbreviated intellectual test battery, two working memory tasks, and a computerized attention measure to the survivor. Parents will complete questionnaire measures regarding their child's adaptive, behavioral, emotional, and attentional functioning; follow-up interviewing will be conducted to clarify any potential problems identified on the questionnaires. The entire screening procedure is estimated to take approximately 60 minutes for the survivor and 30-45 minutes for parents. To maximize efficiency, a research assistant will complete testing with the child and a psychologist will explain the questionnaire measures to the parent and conduct any follow-up interviewing.