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Evaluation of a new online cognitive assessment tool in breast cancer survivors with cognitive impairment: a prospective cohort study

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Abstract

Introduction

Currently cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is mainly assessed by means of questionnaires, which is very laborious for the patients and the supervising physician. We evaluated a new online cognitive assessment tool, the MyCognition Quotient (MyCQ, Cambridge) in breast cancer survivors with CRCI, and compared the results with a psychometric test measuring cognitive complaints, depression, and anxiety.

Materials and methods

In this prospective study, 46 adult patients between 18 and 70 years old with a diagnosis of BC were studied, all complaining of disturbing cognitive impairment. They participated in a physical cognitive rehabilitation program. The patients had an online cognitive assessment (MyCQ Med by MyCognition) every 4 weeks on their home computer. In addition patients were assessed in the outpatient clinic by the principal investigator at baseline, after 3 and 6 months using the following validated neuro-psychological surveys: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS), and Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ). MyCQ scores were correlated with the results of these surveys.

Results

Only weak correlations could be found between overall MyCQ or the MyCQ subtests with the psychometric tests (between − 0.43 and 0.458) at baseline and when combining data at time point 0, 3, and 6 months. Linear mixed models showed there was a significant association between Latency Choice Reaction Time and CFQ (continuous; p = 0.026). An AUC of 0.640 and a cut-off of 481.5 ms in Latency Choice Reaction Time were found to distinguish patients with CFQ below 44 to patients with CFQ above 44 (sensitivity 0.63 and specificity 0.73). In Latency Coding an AUC of 0.788 and a cut-off of 1316 ms were found to distinguish non-depressive patients from patients likely to present with depressive symptoms (sensitivity 0.75 and specificity 0.76).

Conclusion

MyCQ cannot replace the various psychometric tests. However, abnormal Latency in cognitive tests, Choice Reaction Time and Coding, seems promising to be used as a screening tool to detect specific aspects of abnormal cognitive functioning in patients with cognitive complaints and depressive symptoms.

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Raw datasets can be obtained after written request.

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Funding

This study was partly funded by MyCognition, London, UK. The sponsor had no role in the data collection, analysis, or interpretation, and in writing the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Multidisciplinary Oncologic Center Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital, B2650, Edegem, Belgium

    Anne Bellens, Marc Peeters & Peter A. van Dam

  2. Centre for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, B2610, Wilrijk, Belgium

    Anne Bellens, Marc Peeters & Peter A. van Dam

  3. Clinical Trial Center (CTC), CRC Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, B2650, Edegem, Belgium

    Ella Roelant

  4. StatUa, Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, B2000, Antwerp, Belgium

    Ella Roelant

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Belgium

    Bernard Sabbe

Authors
  1. Anne Bellens
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  2. Ella Roelant
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  3. Bernard Sabbe
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  4. Marc Peeters
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  5. Peter A. van Dam
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Contributions

AB and PVD conceptualized the study, neurophysical tests were performed by AB, statically analysis by ER, and all co-authors participated in the interpretation of the data written an editing manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter A. van Dam.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

Approval for the study was obtained by the local ethical committee of the Antwerp University hospital (ID: B300201627683).

Consent to participate

Written informed consent was obtained by all participants to participate in the study.

Consent for publication

Participants consented for publication.

Conflict of interest

AB received a grant from by MyCognition, London, UK. The other authors do not have relevant conflicts of interest.

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Bellens, A., Roelant, E., Sabbe, B. et al. Evaluation of a new online cognitive assessment tool in breast cancer survivors with cognitive impairment: a prospective cohort study. Support Care Cancer 30, 21–31 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06397-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06397-1

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