Behaviors and Mental Disorders

All Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Cognition Disorders

Neurocognitive Disorders

Mental Disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Quality of Life

All Drugs and Chemicals

Immunomodulating Agents

These participants will a undergo a neurocognitive and psychosocial assessment at baseline, and in follow-up after 6 months and 1 year thereafter. The aim of this group is to measure the extent of psychosocial and cognitive difficulties and health-related quality of life.

The experimental group will undergo profound neuropsychological and psychological assessment before starting the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, in addition to the assessment already done at baseline. This group will repeat the testing after completion of the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter.

Integrative Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy is a clinical program of 12 weeks (1 day/week) that combines personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive strategy training, with group sessions of adapted physiotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and information sessions on cognition, fatigue, nutrition and physical exercise.

Integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy

Nathalie Vanlaer, MSc

Anne Rogiers, MD, PhD

Nathalie Vanlaer, Msc

Bart Neyns, MD, PhD

Since 2010, the field of immunotherapy has grown substantially, leading to a growing population of long-term cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy. Since cancer survivorship in immunotherapy is an emerging field, to date not much is known about psychosocial and neurocognitive survivorship-related issues in advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy. Preliminary findings indicated significant psychosocial and cognitive problems in survivors of advanced melanoma persist after treatment with immunotherapy. The objective for this project is twofold. First, the investigators want to longitudinally identify survival-related problems in survivors of advanced cancer treated with immunotherapy. The second goal is to identify the efficacy of an Integrative Neuro-Cognitive Remediation Therapy (INCRT) program. The investigators will focus on the following outcomes: (1) Psychosocial consequences, such as emotional complaints, fatigue, fear of recurrence, (2) neurocognitive functioning, and (3) health-related quality of life. The INCRT combines personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive strategy training, with group sessions of exercise, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

We will have three cohorts:

* Cohort 1: advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy
* Cohort 2: cancer survivors treated with cancer therapy of any kind (excluded immunotherapy), and who have subjective complaints and/or objective cognitive impairment
* Cohort 3: cancer survivors of a central nervous system (CNS) tumor, who do not have active disease in the CNS, and who have subjective complaints and/or objective cognitive impairment

In the first part of the study, survival-related problems will be evaluated in cohort 1, in a longitudinal manner by means of a semi-structured interview at baseline, various questionnaires and a computerized neuropsychological test battery.

In the second part of the study, patients of cohort 1, 2 and 3 with subjective or objective cognitive dysfunction can follow the INCRT program. The efficacy of the INCRT is evaluated through a pre-INCRT and post-INCRT evaluation. This evaluation consist of several questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. Long-term efficacy will be evaluated by a follow-up evaluation six months after completion of the INCRT program.

We will have three cohorts:

* Cohort 1: advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy
* Cohort 2: cancer survivors treated with cancer therapy of any kind (excluded immunotherapy)
* Cohort 3: cancer survivors of a CNS tumor, who do not have active disease in the CNS

All patients of cohort 1 will receive a psychosocial and neurocognitive assessment at baseline. Patients who do not have cognitive problems or do not have interest in following the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy program will go into the non-intervention group for follow-up.

Patients of cohort 1, 2 and 3 who have cognitive problems and/or cognitive complaints who want to follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation program will complete a neurocognitive and psychosocial assessment before and immediately after the remediation program. The same assessment will be repeated six months after finishing the therapy program, to investigate the long-term efficacy of the therapy program.

Longitudinal Neurocognitive, Psychosocial and Health-related Quality of Life Assessment in Advanced Cancer Survivors Treated With Immunotherapy and the Efficacy of Integrative Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy

To measure neurocognitive functioning (attention, memory and executive functioning), with the computerized neuropsychological test battery COGBAT. This battery gives an overall degree of objective neurocognitive functioning, in addition to the specific test performance per subtest. The test performance will be measured in raw scores and z-scores. This test battery will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. Improvement in test performance after the therapy program, compared to baseline, will indicate efficacy of the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy program.

To measure subjective cognitive functioning as assessed by the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, values ranging from 0 to 100. Higher values mean more cognitive complaints. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. A cut-off score of 44 will be used to define elevated levels of cognitive complaints, a score higher than 54 indicates severe cognitive complaints. Improvement in subjective cognitive complaints after the therapy program, compared to baseline, will indicate efficacy of the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy program.

To identify emotional distress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale will be used, with values ranging from 0 to 42. Higher scores mean more emotional distress. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. A cut-off score of 8 will be used to define elevated levels of emotional distress, a score higher than 10 corresponds to moderate emotional distress, a score higher than 14 corresponds to severe emotional distress.

To identify fatigue, the Fatigue Severity Scale will be used. Mean scores will be calculated, leading to a score between 1 and 7. Higher values indicate more fatigue. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. A cut-off score of 4 will be used to define elevated levels of fatigue.

To identify fear of cancer recurrence, the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form (FCRI-SF). will be used. Values range from 0 to 36 and higher values indicate more fear of cancer recurrence. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. A cut-off score of 13 will be used to define significant fear of cancer recurrence. A score higher than 15 equals clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence, a score higher than 21 equals a pathological fear of cancer recurrence.

To measure health-related quality of life, the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30) will be used. Transformed scores range between 0 and 100, higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. The scores will be compared to the Threshold of Clinical Importance, developed by Giesinger et al. (2020). To evaluate change over time, the changes of at least 10 points are regarded, which are supported to be clinically meaningful changes (Snyder et al., 2014).

To document baseline demographic data, prior disease history, nature of immunotherapy therapy, the investigators will look into the patient medical record and a general questionnaire will be used.

To explore the feasibility of the implementation in a larger scale of this clinical program will be assessed by the care need of the patients and the possibility to implement the therapy program in other hospitals (resources needed, cost of the program for the patient).

Psychological distress will be measured by the sum scores of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Subjective cognitive functioning will be measured by the sum scores of the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire. To measure the relation between the two variables, the investigators will conduct a statistical correlation of these outcomes. The outcome will be a correlation coefficient (r).

Psychological distress will be measured by the sum scores of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Objective cognitive functioning will be measured by the COGBAT neuropsychological battery. To measure the relation between the two variables, the investigators will conduct a statistical correlation of these outcomes. The outcome will be a correlation coefficient (r).

Subjective cognitive functioning will be measured by the sum scores of the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire. Objective cognitive functioning will be measured by the COGBAT neuropsychological battery. To measure this relation, the investigators will conduct a statistical correlation of these outcomes. The outcome will be a correlation coefficient (r).

This will be assessed through two open questions asked to the patient, more specifically: 1) if the patient has interest in personalized nutritional advice, 2) what the specific nutritional care need is of the patient.

To identify rumination, the Brooding items of the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) will be used. Values range from 5 to 20, higher values indicate more tendency of 'Brooding', a maladaptive type of rumination. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter.

To measure visuo-spatial memory span, with the computerized version of the Corsi Block Tapping Test by the Vienna Test System. The test performance will be measured in raw scores and z-scores. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter.

To measure verbal long-term memory measured by the California Verbal Learning Test. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. The test performance will be measured in raw scores and z-scores.

To measure information processing speed measured by the WAIS-IV Symbol Search and Coding. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. The test performance will be measured in raw scores and Weschler subscale scores. The Weschler subscale scores range from 0-20 and have a mean of 10.

To measure verbal short-term memory by the WAIS-IV Digit Span Forwards. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. The test performance will be measured in raw scores and z-scores.

To measure working memory by the WAIS-IV Digit Span Backwards. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. The test performance will be measured in raw scores and z-scores.

Anxiety will be measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and 6 months thereafter. Values range from 20 to 80. Higher values indicate more anxiety. STAI scores classified as "no or low anxiety" (20-37), "moderate anxiety" (38-44), and "high anxiety" (45-80).

Self-esteem will be measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and 6 months thereafter. Values range from 0 to 30. Higher values indicate a higher self-esteem. Scores between 15 and 25 are within normal range; scores below 15 correspond to low self-esteem.

Tendency for procrastination will be measured by the Pure Procrastination Scale. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. Values range from 11 to 55. Higher values indicate more tendency for procrastination. A score lower than 28 indicate a low level of procrastination, a score between 28-39 indicate a moderate level of procrastination, and a score higher than 39 indicate a high level of procrastination.

Metacognition will be measured by the Metacognition Questionnaire. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. Values range from 30 to 120. Higher values indicate more metacognitive beliefs.

Tendency for perfectionism will be measured by the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. This will be tested only in the intervention group, i.e. the patients that will follow the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy. It will be repeated after completion of the therapy program and six months thereafter. Values range from 35 to 210, higher values indicate more tendency for perfectionism.

To identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) will be used. Values range from 0 to 80, and higher values indicate more symptoms of post-traumatic stress. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. A cut-off score of 33 indicates PTSD.

To measure subjective cognitive functioning as assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30, cognitive functioning subscale. Transformed scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores meaning better cognitive functioning. This will be repeated during follow-up for the non-intervention group. For the intervention group, the scores will be compared before and after the integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy, and 6 months thereafter. The scores will be compared to the Threshold of Clinical Importance, developed by Giesinger et al. (2020). To evaluate change over time, the changes of at least 10 points are regarded, which are supported to be clinically meaningful changes (Snyder et al., 2014).

Brugmann University Hospital

Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

Prof. Dr.

Neoplasms

Blood and Lymph Conditions

Immune System Diseases

Rare Diseases

Leukemia

Leukemia, Myeloid

Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute

Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma

Leukemia, Lymphoid

Lymphoma

Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin

Neoplasms by Histologic Type

Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Lymphatic Diseases

Immunoproliferative Disorders

Hematologic Diseases

Myeloid Leukemia

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute Non Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

Lymphosarcoma

Acute Graft Versus Host Disease

Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

GMT will be administrated in a group-based format over 5 sessions (minimum three weeks between each session). Homework assignments between sessions are included. Following the fourth session, text messages reading "Stop!" (a key instruction in GMT) will be sent to all GMT participants every day to maximize adherence to training (approximately 12 per participant). Homework assignment will also include the logging of automatic thoughts and an examination of the relationship between situations, thoughts, and accompanying emotions.

The adults participating in the control condition will approximately one year from waitlist, be offered a psycho-educative training program, the BHW, in groups aimed at providing a better understanding of cognitive sequelae after treatment for childhood ALL. BHW will be administrated in a group-based format over 5 sessions (minimum three weeks between each session). Homework assignments between sessions are included. Homework assignments between sessions are included.

The manual comprises an introduction to GMT for the survivors of ALL, and a detailed session structure incorporating cognitive and behavioral tasks. The GMT program involves teaching the participants about goals, attention slips and how to manage these, how to review and prioritize goals (e.g., Stop, Think, Organize, Plan), and how to keep goals in mind (e.g., using analogies such as the mental blackboard). Each session will follow the same general format; namely, facility-delivered presentations, flipchart discussions, group activities and homework.

Goal Management Training (GMT)

BHW is a psycho-educative control condition, and is typically part of psycho-educative Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation programs, but adjusted for the ALL group of participants. The psycho-educative control condition BHW will be matched GMT for amount of training and therapist contact. Homework assignment and in-session tasks included readings, brain games, puzzles, and practical exercises such as logging sleep.

Brain Health Workshop (BHW)

Magne Arve Flaten, phd prof

Paul Georg Skogen

Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for developing neurocognitive sequelae. Multiple meta-analyses demonstrate significant deficits in overall intellectual abilities, academic functioning and specific cognitive skills among survivors of childhood cancer treated with intrathecal chemotherapy only and/or cranial irradiation. Preventing neurocognitive deficits is therefore of great importance. Unfortunately, intervention studies for this group of survivors are scarce. The main aim of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the efficacy of Goal Management Training (GMT) as a group-based treatment program for 60 adult survivors of childhood leukemia, and non Hodgkins lymphoma, diagnosed between 1980 and 2017 at an age below 18, with attention and executive function deficits. The participants will be randomized to one treatment group (GMT), and one waitlist condition followed by one active control intervention, the "Brain health workshop" (BHW), which has a psycho-educative approach. The follow-up time from diagnosis will be ≥5 years and the age at survey 18-40 years. The study will expand the knowledge base on treatment factors important in improving cognitive function. Results from this study can be implemented in rehabilitation for the young adult survivors of childhood leukemia, and non Hodgkins lymphoma, which will be of importance for their future educational and work-related functioning.

Effect of the GMT/waitlist conditions will be assessed through self-reported and objective measures of neuropsychological function, quality of life and health measurements. To avoid extra training effects of neuropsychological testing on participants allocated to waitlist/BHW, assessment following BHW (approximately one-year post T1) will consist of self-report measures only. Patients in all groups will be reassessed within 14 days post intervention (T2), and at 6 months post intervention (T3).

Goal Management Training for Adult Survivors of Childhood Leukemia and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma With Neurocognitive Sequelae

The Effect of Goal Management Training for Adult Survivors of Childhood Leukemia and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma With Neurocognitive Sequelae: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The PedsQLTM4.0 is a measure of health-related quality of life. The 23-item PedsQL, version 4.0 Generic Core Scales, can be grouped into 4 domains of HRQOL: 1) Physical Functioning (8 items), 2) Emotional Functioning (5 items), 3) Social Functioning (5 items), and 4) School Functioning (5 items). In addition to the four subscales, a Total Summary Health score (23 items) can be computed.

The HSCL-25 is a measure of mental health. The Hopkins Symptom Check List (HSCL-25) is a 25-item self-report measuring adult mental health symptoms within the previous week. Total sum scores range from zero (least symptomatic) to 100 (most symptomatic). A mean item score can also be calculated, in which 1,75 is a common clinical cut-off score. The HSCL-25 is a short version of the HSCL-90.

The GPSS is a measure of self-efficacy. The General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSS) is a 10-item psychometric scale assessing the strength of an individual's beliefs in his/her ability to respond to controlled environmental demands and challenges. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1=not at all true to 4=exactly true). There is no cut-off score on this scale. However, the weighted variance equaled 25.91. Thus, a raw score of 24 is 1 SD below the weighted mean using T-norms from the German version.

The FSS is a measure of fatigue. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) includes nine questions related to how fatigue interferes with certain activities; symptom severity is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree). Based on previous reports on the prevalence of fatigue, an FSS score ≥5 is to be interpreted as indicative of severe fatigue.

The FQ is a measure of fatigue. The FQ is an 11-item questionnaire, assessing physical (items 1-7) and mental (items 8-11) symptoms of fatigue, along with a total score. All items are rated using a 4-point Likert scale (0 = better than usual, 1= no more than usual, 2 = much worse than usual. Fatigue "caseness" is defined by total dichotomized scores \>4 and a duration of ≥6 months.

The RSA includes 33 questions related to protective factors. Resilience is rated on a scale from 1 to 7, and a total score reflects degree of resilience. The higher the score on RSA scale, the more protective factors an individual is assumed to have, e.g., better psychological health, and thus, the individual seems to cope better with adverse life events. RSA consists of six factors divided into 1) intrapersonal resources ("Perception of self", "Planned future", "Social competence" and "Structured style"), and 2) interpersonal resources ("Family cohesion" and "Social resources").

The ESS is a measure of general level of daytime sleepiness. The measure includes 8 items, with scaled scores from 0 (would never doze) to 3 (high chance of dozing), participants are asked to rate their usual chances of dozing off or falling asleep in 8 different situations or activities- The reference range of "normal" ESS scores is zero to 10, while scores of 11-24 represent increasing levels of "excessive daytime sleepiness" (i.e., 0-5: Lower Normal Daytime Sleepiness, 6-10: Higher Normal Daytime Sleepiness, 11-12: Mild Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, 13-15: Moderate Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, 16-24: Severe Excessive Daytime Sleepiness). We will use ESS total score ≥13 as a clinical cut-off.

The ISI is a 7-item questionnaire is assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia over the past month. A 5-point Likert scale (0 = none; 4 = very severe) is used to rate each item, with total scores ranging from 0-28 (Total score categories; 0-7; No clinical significant insomnia, 8-14: Subthreshold insomnia, 15-21: Clinical insomnia (moderate severity), 22-28 = Clinical insomnia (severe). We will use the ISI total score ≥15 as a clinical cut-off.

The PPI is part of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and includes 8 items. Pain interference refers to the degree to which pain limits or interferes with the persons physical, mental, and social activities. Items range from 1 "not at all" to 5 "very much". An additional item asks the participant to rate average pain intensity for the last 7 days on another scale ranging from 1 "no pain" to 10 "worst pain imaginable".

The BPI consists of questions related to pain intensity and pain interference on function. Responses for each item ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (pain as bad as you can imagine). Pain severity score (sum score of intensity items 1 to 4) and interference score (sum score of interference items 5 to 10) are reported. In addition, one item measure the localization of the most intense pain.

The interview includes 32 items. Participants are asked about basic demographic information (e.g. years of education, occupation, living situation), medical conditions/ injuries (e.g. Have you ever been diagnosed with ADHD?), treatment/rehabilitation (e.g. Have you received cognitive rehabilitation?) and adverse life events (e.g. Have you lost a close family-member within the last 12 months?). In addition, participants are asked to describe challenges in their everyday life (e.g. Please tell me about challenges in your everyday life when it comes to achieving your goals, Do you easily get distracted from what you are doing?).

The BRIEF-A self-report questionnaire consists of 75 items on which the patient's symptoms are rated on a 3-point Likert scale. The questionnaire provides a Global Executive Composite (GEC) score (range 75-225) and two index scores: the Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) (range 30-90) and the Metacognitive Index (MI) (range 40-120). Nine subscales are also provided: Inhibit (range 8-24), Shift (range 6-18), Emotional control (range 10-30), Self-monitor (range 6-18), Initiate (range 8-24), Working memory (range 8-24), Plan/organize (range 10-30), Task monitor (range 6-18) and Organization of materials (range 8-24). Higher scores indicate more executive difficulties. Raw scores are transformed into t scores (M=50, SD=10).

The CPT 3 is a measure of inattention, impulsivity, sustained attention and vigilance. The test is computer based and lasts approximately 14 minutes. The participant is instructed to press the space bar/computer mouse when letters appear, but not when Xs appear on the screen. Higher scores reflect worse performance, and raw scores are converted to T-scores (M=50, SD=10). However, scores will be recoded so that higher scores equal better performance/lower scores equal worse performance.

The CWI is a measure of inhibition and cognitive flexibility. The test consists of four conditions; color naming (condition 1), word reading (condition 2), inhibition (condition 3) and inhibition switching (condition 4). Scores are computed for completion time (condition 1-4) and total errors (condition 3 and 4). Higher scores reflect better performance, and raw scores are converted to scaled scores (M=10, SD=3).

The TMT from Delis Kaplan Executive Function System is a measure of flexibility/shifting. The primary measure is condition 4 where the participant is asked to shift between number and letter sequencing. The test also measures the basic abilities of visual scanning (condition 1), number- and letter sequencing combined with drawing a line (condition 2 and 3) and motor pace (Condition 5). Scores reflect completion time and raw scores are converted to scaled scores (M=10, SD=3). Higher scores reflect better performance.

The CVLT II a measure of verbal learning and memory. Participants are asked to recall words from list A, both with and without an interruption list B. There are three types of conditions; the participant is asked to freely recall items (free recall), to recall after a cue is presented (cued recall) and to recognize previously presented words (recognition condition). Both short and long delay is measured. Raw scores are converted to Z-scores (M=0, SD=1) and T-scores (M=50, SD=10). Higher scores reflect better performance, except for error measures. For T2 (14 days) follow up, CVLT II Alternative Form will be used.

The WCST-64 is a measure of abstract thinking and set-shifting/ mental flexibility. The participant is instructed to sort cards according to varying principles. A computer-based version will be employed. Raw scores are converted to T-scores (M=50, SD=10) and higher scores reflect better performance.

The Hotel Task is a measure of executive components: planning, organization, self-monitoring and cognitive flexibility. The participant is asked to try out as many as possible of five tasks within a relatively short (15 minutes) time period. Raw scores are computed. Higher scores reflect better performance, except for deviation of optimal time use. The test has been demonstrated to have high ecological validity and ability to detect frontal lobe dysfunction.

The DEX - self-report is a measure of everyday problems with executive function. The questionnaire consists of 20 items with a 5-point Likert scale where the respondent is asked to rate the frequency of cognitive difficulties from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). A higher total score reflects worse executive functioning.

The subtests: Digit span, letter-number sequencing performance will be used as a measure of Verbal working memory/attention (Working memory index).

St. Olavs Hospital

Oslo University Hospital

Norwegian Cancer Society

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Breast Neoplasms

Patients are admitted to the day hospital 2 days a week for 6 weeks and participate in a group-based (4 patients per group) rehabilitation program conducted by a multidisciplinary team including a PMR doctor, a neuropsychologist, an occupational therapist, and a physical activity monitor).

Patients are admitted to the day hospital 5 days a week for 6 weeks and participate in a one-on-one intensive rehabilitation program conducted by a multidisciplinary team including a speech therapist, neuropsychologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, physical activity monitor and a psychologist.

Evaluation of REmediation programs for patients suffering from mild cognitive deficits after Cancer

Cognitive remediation program

Sophie JACQUIN-COURTOIS, PhD

Mélanie COGNÉ, MD

Mélanie Cogné, MD

Isabelle Bonan, PhD

Cancer survival rates have improved significantly over the past decades and patients now experience a number of side effects including cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI): problems with memory, executive function, attention, and difficulties performing two tasks at the same time. The frequency of CRCI in cancer patients is estimated to be between 10 to 40%, and more than 50% of patients describe difficulties in their daily life. These cognitive difficulties negatively impact the patient's quality of life as well as that of their family, and can also have negative consequences for their social and professional reintegration once cancer treatment is finished. Despite an increasing number of studies on CRCI, a standard of care for patients with CRCI after breast cancer is yet to be established. In the absence of clear directives, and in an attempt to respond to the increasing demand to provide care for breast cancer patients with CRCI, physical medicine and rehabilitation units in France have started providing day-hospital multidisciplinary interventions. The objective of this project is to use the single case experimental design method to investigate the efficacy of two such rehabilitation programs: a group-based program and a one-on-one program.

Remediation for Mild Cognitive Deficits After Cancer

EvalUation of REmediation Programs for Patients Suffering From Mild Cognitive Deficits After CAncer

The Fact-COG questionnaire assesses subjective cognitive impairment. The score directly reflects the patient's feelings about/perceptions of their cognitive function over the previous week. A total score out of 132 is obtained as well as 4 subscales: Perceived Cognitive Impairments (0-72), Impact on Quality of Life (0-16), Comments from Others (0-16), and Perceived Cognitive Abilities (0-28).

Neuropsychological function will be measured using three sub-tests of the Test of Attentional Performance (alertness, covert shift of attention, divided attention), the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, the Montreal Cognitive neuropsychological Assessment, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test.

Psychological distress will be measured using 4 questionnaires: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; the Brief Symptom Inventory-18; the Rosenberg self-esteem scale; the MCQ-30 Meta-cognition self-report questionnaire.

The FACT-B questionnaire assesses cancer-related quality of life. A total score out of 148 is obtained as well as 5 subscales: Physical Well-Being (0-28), Social/Family Well-Being (0-28), Functional-Well-Being (0-28), Emotional Well-Being (0-24), and Breast Cancer Subscale (0-40).

The FACTIT-Fatigue questionnaire assesses fatigue/ tiredness and its impact on daily activities and functioning in chronic disease. A total score out of 52 is obtained.

Hospices Civils de Lyon

Substance Related Disorders

Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment

Breast Diseases

Skin Diseases

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

Chemically-Induced Disorders

The cognitive remediation programme shall be run either in video workshops or face to face workshops and in home sessions via a web app. The programme will run for 4 months during which there will be 3 different evaluations. A first evaluation after randomisation, a second evaluation 4 months after inclusion (corresponding to the end of the programme), and a third evaluation 8 months after inclusion for the experimental group (4 months after the end of the programme). The face to face workshops will take 8 to 10 participants and will be led by a neuropsychologist.

Cognitive remediation

Véronique GERAT-MULLER, PhD

Simone MATHOULIN-PELISSIER, MD/PhD

This project will investigate the efficacy of a cognitive remediation programme in patients treated for breast cancer. patients will be randomized between "no intervention" and "intervention programme". Efficay will be assessed in term of improved quality of life.

Medical progress in the treatment of cancer has prolonged patients' life expectancy. This improvement has led researchers to become concerned about the long-term negative effects of cancer treatments on quality-of-life. In particular, previous studies have identified complaints that have been submitted concerning the cognitive status of patients treated with chemotherapy (Berglund et coll., 1991). All of these cognitive changes are collectively grouped under the term chemobrain.

The consequences of treatments remain however underestimated, as the priority when diagnosing cancer remains the patient's short- to medium-term survival; yet, quality-of-life contributes to the long-term survival of patients (Kramer, 2000).

In addition to medical treatments, psychosocial care adapted to the specific needs of subjects is thus important for improving their quality-of-life and helping them return to work. Even if initiatives have multiplied over the past few decades in the psychosocial management of these subjects (e.g., supportive care), that related to cognitive disorders in subjects having survived cancer remains a little documented field. Cognitive deficiency in cancer survivors is said to be moderate (Razaq et coll., 2017), which makes survivors ideal candidates for cognitive rehabilitation.

Evaluation of Cognitive Management for Chemobrain in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer.

Etude e-ONCOGITE : Évaluation d'Une Prise en Charge Cognitive adaptée au " Chemobrain" Chez Des Patientes traitées Pour un Cancer de Sein.

Improved QoL is defined as a significant improvement (i.e. at least a 3-point increase of the total score) in both the Emotional Well-Being (EWB) and Functional Well-Being (FWB) subscales of the FACT-B self-questionnaire (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -Breast - Brady et al. J Clin Oncol 1997).

Improved QoL is defined as a significant improvement (i.e. at least a 3-point increase of the total score) in the physical Well-Being subscale of the FACT-B self-questionnaire (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -Breast - Brady et al. J Clin Oncol 1997).

Improved QoL is defined as a significant improvement (i.e. at least a 3-point increase of the total score) in the Social/family subscale of the FACT-B self-questionnaire (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -Breast - Brady et al. J Clin Oncol 1997).

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization
Longitudinal Neurocognitive, Psychosocial and Health-related Quality of Life Assessment in Advanced Cancer Survivors Treated With Immunotherapy and the Efficacy of Integrative Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy	NCT05667857	Cognitive Remed... Neuropsychology Quality of Life Psycho-Oncology Cognitive Behav... Cancer Survivor... Immunotherapy Cognitive Dysfu... Psychological D...	Integrative neu...	18 Years -	Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Goal Management Training for Adult Survivors of Childhood Leukemia and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma With Neurocognitive Sequelae	NCT04541056	Childhood Non-H... Childhood Acute... Childhood Acute...	Goal Management... Brain Health Wo...	18 Years - 40 Years	Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Remediation for Mild Cognitive Deficits After Cancer	NCT04808674	Cognitive Remed... Breast Cancer	Cognitive remed...	18 Years - 65 Years	Hospices Civils de Lyon
Evaluation of Cognitive Management for Chemobrain in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer.	NCT05690828	Breast Cancer	Cognitive remed...	20 Years - 60 Years	Institut Bergonié

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for cognitive remediation