An evaluation on the neuropsychological tests used in the assessment of postchemotherapy cognitive changes in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

In the selection of a suitable neuropsychological tool to determine the onset, severity, site, and duration of cognitive changes in breast cancer survivors, incorporation of both subjective and objective tests is essential to facilitate a comprehensive assessment. With more validation work performed in future studies, it may be feasible to employ computerized neuropsychological assessments in both clinical and research settings.

Associations Between Physical Fitness Indices and Working Memory in Breast Cancer Survivors and Age-Matched Controls

“…Other research suggests a more overarching neuropsychological assessment of cognitive function in the following domains: attention, processing speed, memory, and executive function. 52,53 This breadth of neuropsychological testing and corresponding neuroimaging is essential for further evaluating the presence, severity, and locus of cognitive impairments in cancer survivors, and to deconstruct which elements of cognitive function are most affected in breast cancer survivors and how physical activity and exercise training may differentially affect these constituent elements. 13,54 In summary, we report differences in working memory between breast cancer survivors and age-matched controls.…”

Women's experiences of cognitive changes or ‘chemobrain’ following treatment for breast cancer: A role for occupational therapy?

“…Women were invited to participate in the study if they self‐identified experiencing ‘chemobrain’ according to the definition used earlier by Cheung et al . (). Additional inclusion criteria included being fluent in English and living in New South Wales.…”

“…Research indicates that 30–60% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will experience cognitive impairment or ‘chemobrain’ as a side effect of cancer treatment (Vodermaier, ). Chemobrain has been defined as subtle, yet persistent mild mental dysfunctions (Cheung, Tan & Chan, ; O'Shaughnessy, ) often experienced following chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The colloquial use of the term ‘chemobrain’ may not accurately portray the processes involved and may even trivialise its impact.…”

Cognitive function in cancer survivors: analysis of the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…Only 7 participants reported “don’t know” while 1 participant was missing a response to this variable and was excluded from these analyses. This question may be more closely related to survivors’ perceived memory performance as a proxy to impact on quality of life and may reflect a decline in cognition even though they still perform in the normal range on neuropsychological assessments [30]. It has been used to measure the prevalence of cognitive impairment in large population surveys [31].…”