Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients: An educational needs area improved by a single intervention

  • Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background. Chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of posttreatment morbidity, with significant impact on quality of life. We sought to evaluate the level of need for and awareness of information regarding CRCD among nurses involved with the care of persons receiving chemotherapy. We also hypothesized that educational interventions are useful in this increasingly important area of oncology nursing.Methods. Chemotherapy nurse providers were surveyed regarding CRCD beliefs and skills; a subset of individuals attending a CRCD educational session underwent pretesting and posttesting to assess CRCD knowledge.Results. Respondents perceived that CRCD is a serious problem and identified the following needs areas: general CRCD education, diagnostic skills, knowledge regarding behavioral and pharmacologic interventions, and availability of adequate CRCD practice protocols. With a single educational intervention, posttest scoring improved over pretest in most subjects, with a statistically significant overall improvement in mean scores.Conclusions. Our results suggest the need for education in CRCD diagnosis, intervention, and protocol development. A single educational intervention improved knowledge. Our work underscores the importance of CRCD education for the Oncology Education Services and other oncology nurse educational resources.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kayl AE, Myers CA. Side-effects of chemotherapy and quality of life in ovarian and breast cancer patients. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2006;18:24–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Staat K, Sagatore M. The phenomenon of chemo brain. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2005;9:713–721.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. O’Shaughnessy J. Chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2003;19(suppl 2):17–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Wefel JS, Lenzi R, Theriault RL, et al. The cognitive sequelae of standard dose chemotherapy in women with breast carcinoma: results of a prospective, randomized longitudinal trial. Cancer. 2004;100:2292–2299.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Castellon SA, Ganz PA, Bower JE, et al. Neurocognitive performance in breast cancer survivors exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy and tamoxifen. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2004;26:955–969.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Rose GM, Hopper A, DeVivo M, Tehim A. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors for cognitive enhancement. Curr Pharm Des. 2005;11:3329–3334.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Cunningham RS. Anemia in the oncology patient: cognitive function and cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2003;26(suppl):38S-42S.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Troen A, Rosenberg I. Homocysteine and cognitive function. Semin Vasc Med. 2005;5:209–214.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. O’Shaughnessy JA. Chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction: a clearer picture. Clin Breast Cancer. 2003;4(suppl 2):S89-S94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Krueukles BP, Schagen SB, Riddenerinkhof KR, et al. Electrophysiological correlates of information processing in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2005;94:53–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Saykin AJ, Ahles TA, McDonald BC. Mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced cognitive disorders: neuropsychological, pathophysiological, and neuroimaging perspectives. Semin Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2003;8:201–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Downie FP, Mar Fan HG, Youde-Tchen N, et al. Cognitive function, fatigue, and menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: evaluation with patient interview after formal assessment. Psychooncology. 2006;15:921–930.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mar Fan HG, Houede-Tchen N, Yi Q-L, et al. Fatigues, menopausal symptoms, and cognitive function in women after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: 1- and 2-year, follow-up of a prospective controlled study. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:8025–8032.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Meyers CA, Albitar M, Estey E. Cognitive impairment, fatigue, and cytokine levels in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Cancer. 2005;104:788–793.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Brown, JD. Using Surveys in Language Programs. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. John T. Vetto MD, FACS (Professor of Surgery)

    Present address: Division of Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mail Code L-619, 97239, Portland, OR

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oncology Education Service, Oncology Nursing Society, Pittsburgh, PA

    Irene Perez Vetto RN, MN, ANP, AOCN

Authors
  1. Irene Perez Vetto RN, MN, ANP, AOCN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John T. Vetto MD, FACS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John T. Vetto MD, FACS.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vetto, I.P., Vetto, J.T. Cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients: An educational needs area improved by a single intervention. J Canc Educ 22, 197–201 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03174337

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03174337

Keywords

Search

Navigation