462P - Cognitive function of survivors with non-central nervous system cancer and its correlates: A community rehabilitation perspective

Background

The aim of this study was to identify correlates of cognitive function among cancer survivors attending rehabilitation in a community setting.

Methods

Participants were 35 cancer patients who had reported memory issues and were screened by an occupational therapist for cognitive dysfunction. Using baseline data, descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to detail the cognitive function of study sample and to identify its correlates.

Results

Study sample was predominantly female (94.7%) with breast cancer (65.8%) who had received chemotherapy (77.1%) and hormonal therapy (51.5%). Mean age was 53.8 ± 10.3 years and mean years since diagnosis was 4.9 ± 3.3 years. Mean scores of cognitive performances were within the norms for attention (digit span forward test; 7.5 ± 1.4), working memory (digit span backward test; 5.4 ± 1.3), processing speed (trail making test A; 25.1 ± 5.5), and executive function (trail making test B; 68.3 ± 33.6). Mean scores of perceived cognitive ability (15.5 ± 4.1) and cognitive-related quality of life (9.8 ± 3.7), measured by the FACT-Cog, were below the norms. Cancer survivors with more years since diagnosis performed better in executive function (r = .45). Poorer working memory (r = -.38) and lower cognitive-related quality of life (r = -.41) were also found to associate with increased fatigue intensity. Although sleep duration and distress rating were not related to cognitive function, shorter sleep duration (r = -.35) and higher distress rating (r = .37) correlated with higher fatigue intensity. All results were statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors may report reduced perceived cognitive ability and cognitive-related quality of life despite adequate performance on objective tests. This discrepancy could be due to the relationship of fatigue to working memory. Global evaluation of cognitive function considers cognitive performance during periods of more intense fatigue while objective tests provide information on cognitive performance when tested at a particular time and fatigue level. Managing fatigue including addressing distress and sleep issues may be potential strategies that can be employed to support cognitive function.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The author.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

The author has declared no conflicts of interest.