Computer-Based Training in Patients With Post-Chemotherapy Cognitive Impairment
NCT ID: NCT00387062
Last Updated: 2008-06-24
Study Results
Results pending
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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Recruitment Status
COMPLETED
Clinical Phase
PHASE1
Total Enrollment
50 participants
Study Classification
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Start Date
2006-10-31
Study Completion Date
2008-06-30
Brief Summary
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The investigators hypothesize that continuous active interaction with environments that are demanding to sensory, cognitive, and motor systems, together with imbedded rewards for successful performance, will help improve memory and cognitive functioning in patients suffering from "chemobrain".
Detailed Description
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Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the United States, with an estimated 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed among women, and 1,700 diagnosed in men, in 2005. While cure rates have improved significantly, chemotherapy for breast cancer is associated with a number of negative side effects. One of which is a deficit in cognitive function, a condition commonly referred to as "chemobrain". While the debate about cognitive decline being a result of chemotherapy is still ongoing, there is clear evidence of cognitive decline in women with breast cancer post-chemotherapy. Cognitive decline is often reported to affect memory, attention, executive functioning and information processing speed.
Studies suggest that incidence of "chemobrain" ranges from 17% - 75% in women who have undergone chemotherapy.This cognitive impairment affects quality of life by impacting patients' ability to concentrate, make decisions and to fulfill family, career, and community responsibilities.
Although there is uncertainty about the mechanisms that can lead to this cognitive decline, there is a pressing need to identify interventions that will alleviate its symptoms and help breast cancer survivors recover their cognitive functioning and resume their roles and activities at the pre-cancer level.
Brain plasticity refers to the brain's capacity for physical and functional change; it is this capacity that explains how experience induces learning throughout life. On the basis of a growing body of literature in the fields of psychophysics, neurology, neuropsychology, and brain plasticity, we hypothesize that the brain processing machinery can be refined, elaborated, and strengthened through rigorous training and learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate if such training can improve cognitive functioning.
We hypothesize that continuous active interaction with environments that are demanding to sensory, cognitive, and motor systems, together with imbedded rewards for successful performance will help improve memory and cognitive functioning in patients suffering from "chemobrain".
Studies suggest that incidence of "chemobrain" ranges from 17% - 75% in women who have undergone chemotherapy.This cognitive impairment affects quality of life by impacting patients' ability to concentrate, make decisions and to fulfill family, career, and community responsibilities.
Although there is uncertainty about the mechanisms that can lead to this cognitive decline, there is a pressing need to identify interventions that will alleviate its symptoms and help breast cancer survivors recover their cognitive functioning and resume their roles and activities at the pre-cancer level.
Brain plasticity refers to the brain's capacity for physical and functional change; it is this capacity that explains how experience induces learning throughout life. On the basis of a growing body of literature in the fields of psychophysics, neurology, neuropsychology, and brain plasticity, we hypothesize that the brain processing machinery can be refined, elaborated, and strengthened through rigorous training and learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate if such training can improve cognitive functioning.
We hypothesize that continuous active interaction with environments that are demanding to sensory, cognitive, and motor systems, together with imbedded rewards for successful performance will help improve memory and cognitive functioning in patients suffering from "chemobrain".
Conditions
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Breast Cancer
Cognitive Symptoms
Memory Disorders
Keywords
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Breast Cancer
Cognitive Impairment
Chemofog
Chemobrain
Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment
Study Design
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Allocation Method
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Study Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Blinding Strategy
NONE
Interventions
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Computer-based Cognitive Training
Intervention Type
DEVICE
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Age 21 or older at the time of consent.
* Diagnosis of invasive breast cancer or recurrence warranting treatment with chemotherapeutic agents in the past 5 years.
* Cognitive decline, as reported by the patient, friends, or family.
* Fluent English speaker.
* Willing and able to commit to the 6-month time requirement of the entire study period.
* Willing to provide informed consent
* Willing to participate in training of the program.
* Agrees to weekly contact
* Diagnosis of invasive breast cancer or recurrence warranting treatment with chemotherapeutic agents in the past 5 years.
* Cognitive decline, as reported by the patient, friends, or family.
* Fluent English speaker.
* Willing and able to commit to the 6-month time requirement of the entire study period.
* Willing to provide informed consent
* Willing to participate in training of the program.
* Agrees to weekly contact
Exclusion Criteria
* Severe hearing impairments that would:
* limit the ability to receive instructions and support; and
* hinder performance on the computer training program.
* Self-report of untreated Axis I or II disorders (with the exception of depression, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders).
* Self-report of current diagnosis or history of major neurological illness including, but not limited to:
* Alzheimer's disease
* Parkinson's disease
* Multiple sclerosis
* Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
* History of a stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or traumatic brain injury within the past year; or lifetime history of stroke, TIA, or traumatic brain injury that has left residual expressive or receptive language problems.
* Self-report of fibromyalgia or symptoms of tremor severe enough to prevent the use of a computer mouse or other pointing device.
* Unwillingness to complete the required assessments.
* Patient is not capable of giving informed consent or unable to comprehend and/or follow instructions.
* limit the ability to receive instructions and support; and
* hinder performance on the computer training program.
* Self-report of untreated Axis I or II disorders (with the exception of depression, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders).
* Self-report of current diagnosis or history of major neurological illness including, but not limited to:
* Alzheimer's disease
* Parkinson's disease
* Multiple sclerosis
* Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
* History of a stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or traumatic brain injury within the past year; or lifetime history of stroke, TIA, or traumatic brain injury that has left residual expressive or receptive language problems.
* Self-report of fibromyalgia or symptoms of tremor severe enough to prevent the use of a computer mouse or other pointing device.
* Unwillingness to complete the required assessments.
* Patient is not capable of giving informed consent or unable to comprehend and/or follow instructions.
Minimum Eligible Age
21 Years
Eligible Sex
ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Sponsors
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Posit Science Corporation
INDUSTRY
Sponsor Role
lead
Principal Investigators
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Henry W Mahncke, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Posit Science Corporation
Locations
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Posit Science Corporation
San Francisco, California, United States
Site Status
Countries
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United States
References
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Shilling V, Jenkins V. Self-reported cognitive problems in women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2007 Feb;11(1):6-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2006.02.005. Epub 2006 Jul 17.
Reference Type
BACKGROUND
Wefel JS, Lenzi R, Theriault R, Buzdar AU, Cruickshank S, Meyers CA. 'Chemobrain' in breast carcinoma?: a prologue. Cancer. 2004 Aug 1;101(3):466-75. doi: 10.1002/cncr.20393.
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BACKGROUND
Tannock IF, Ahles TA, Ganz PA, Van Dam FS. Cognitive impairment associated with chemotherapy for cancer: report of a workshop. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Jun 1;22(11):2233-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2004.08.094.
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BACKGROUND
Schagen SB, Muller MJ, Boogerd W, Rosenbrand RM, van Rhijn D, Rodenhuis S, van Dam FS. Late effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on cognitive function: a follow-up study in breast cancer patients. Ann Oncol. 2002 Sep;13(9):1387-97. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdf241.
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BACKGROUND
van Dam FS, Schagen SB, Muller MJ, Boogerd W, vd Wall E, Droogleever Fortuyn ME, Rodenhuis S. Impairment of cognitive function in women receiving adjuvant treatment for high-risk breast cancer: high-dose versus standard-dose chemotherapy. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998 Feb 4;90(3):210-8. doi: 10.1093/jnci/90.3.210.
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BACKGROUND
Schagen SB, van Dam FS, Muller MJ, Boogerd W, Lindeboom J, Bruning PF. Cognitive deficits after postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast carcinoma. Cancer. 1999 Feb 1;85(3):640-50. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19990201)85:33.0.co;2-g.
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BACKGROUND
Brezden CB, Phillips KA, Abdolell M, Bunston T, Tannock IF. Cognitive function in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2000 Jul;18(14):2695-701. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2000.18.14.2695.
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BACKGROUND
Jansen CE, Miaskowski C, Dodd M, Dowling G. Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment in women with breast cancer: a critique of the literature. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2005 Mar 5;32(2):329-42. doi: 10.1188/05.ONF.329-342.
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BACKGROUND
Paraska K, Bender CM. Cognitive dysfunction following adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: two case studies. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2003 May-Jun;30(3):473-8. doi: 10.1188/03.ONF.473-478.
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BACKGROUND
Wefel JS, Lenzi R, Theriault RL, Davis RN, Meyers CA. The cognitive sequelae of standard-dose adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast carcinoma: results of a prospective, randomized, longitudinal trial. Cancer. 2004 Jun 1;100(11):2292-9. doi: 10.1002/cncr.20272.
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O'Shaughnessy J. Chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2003 Nov;19(4 Suppl 2):17-24. doi: 10.1053/j.soncn.2003.09.002.
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Gilbert CD, Sigman M, Crist RE. The neural basis of perceptual learning. Neuron. 2001 Sep 13;31(5):681-97. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00424-x.
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Morse R, Rodgers J, Verrill M, Kendell K. Neuropsychological functioning following systemic treatment in women treated for breast cancer: a review. Eur J Cancer. 2003 Nov;39(16):2288-97. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(03)00600-2.
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de Jong N, Candel MJ, Schouten HC, Abu-Saad HH, Courtens AM. Course of mental fatigue and motivation in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Oncol. 2005 Mar;16(3):372-82. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdi095. Epub 2005 Jan 27.
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BACKGROUND
Bender CM, Sereika SM, Berga SL, Vogel VG, Brufsky AM, Paraska KK, Ryan CM. Cognitive impairment associated with adjuvant therapy in breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2006 May;15(5):422-30. doi: 10.1002/pon.964.
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BACKGROUND
Tchen N, Juffs HG, Downie FP, Yi QL, Hu H, Chemerynsky I, Clemons M, Crump M, Goss PE, Warr D, Tweedale ME, Tannock IF. Cognitive function, fatigue, and menopausal symptoms in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Nov 15;21(22):4175-83. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2003.01.119.
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Ahles TA, Saykin A. Cognitive effects of standard-dose chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Cancer Invest. 2001;19(8):812-20. doi: 10.1081/cnv-100107743.
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Bender CM, Paraska KK, Sereika SM, Ryan CM, Berga SL. Cognitive function and reproductive hormones in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: a critical review. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001 May;21(5):407-24. doi: 10.1016/s0885-3924(01)00268-8.
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Jansen CE, Miaskowski C, Dodd M, Dowling G, Kramer J. A metaanalysis of studies of the effects of cancer chemotherapy on various domains of cognitive function. Cancer. 2005 Nov 15;104(10):2222-33. doi: 10.1002/cncr.21469.
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Watters JM, Yau JC, O'Rourke K, Tomiak E, Gertler SZ. Functional status is well maintained in older women during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2003 Dec;14(12):1744-50. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdg497.
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Phillips KA, Bernhard J. Adjuvant breast cancer treatment and cognitive function: current knowledge and research directions. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003 Feb 5;95(3):190-7. doi: 10.1093/jnci/95.3.190.
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Cimprich B, So H, Ronis DL, Trask C. Pre-treatment factors related to cognitive functioning in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2005 Jan;14(1):70-8. doi: 10.1002/pon.821.
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Falleti MG, Sanfilippo A, Maruff P, Weih L, Phillips KA. The nature and severity of cognitive impairment associated with adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of the current literature. Brain Cogn. 2005 Oct;59(1):60-70. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2005.05.001. Epub 2005 Jun 21.
Reference Type
BACKGROUND
Other Identifiers
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OUT-113-2005; 06140-01
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id