Effect of Cognitive Training Program in Chemotherapy Treated Breast Cancer patients

Aim: To evaluate the effect of cognitive training program in chemotherapy treated breast cancer patients. Research design: A quasi-experimental “time series” research design was used. Subjects & Methods: Setting: The study was carried out in Oncology outpatient facility in one of the University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Study subjects: It included two groups of 40 patients each: intervention and control group from the previously mentioned setting who met the inclusion criteria. Data collection tool: A structured interview was utilized to gather data pertinent to the present study. It comprises two sections, A. Demographic and health characteristics data sheet B. Mini-Mental State Examination Scale (MMSE) Results: The results showed improvement in the study group in follow up phase with statistically significant relation (p-value<0.001). Regression analysis specified training program as a single statistically significant independent positive predictor for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. While number of diseases, number of health problems and Hemoglobin level were negative predictors. Conclusion: Statistically significant improvement in the scores of MMSE of study group of chemotherapy treated breast cancer patients in follow up phase after their involvement in the cognitive training program. Recommendations: Further studies about cognitive interventions on larger scale and risk factors and predictors of chemotherapy-related cognitive changes need to be explored.