1859P - Digital goal management training as treatment for cognitive impairment in cervical cancer survivors: A feasibility study

Background

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common late effect after cancer treatment, for which effective treatment is lacking. Goal Management Training (GMT) is a validated cognitive remediation protocol reported to improve cognition including perceived daily life executive functioning, in neurological conditions. However, GMT has never been examined in cancer survivors, nor been presented in a digital format. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of digital GMT in cervical cancer survivors (CCS) with subjective and/or objective CI.

Methods

We invited 65 CCS with CI to participate. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio between digital GMT and a computerized cognitive training (CCT) program (BrainHQ). GMT consists of six weekly group-based modules encompassing discussion of participants’ real-life cognitive deficits, practice on tasks of attention and self-monitoring, as well as homework assignments. BrainHQ is a web-based training platform with exercises targeting several cognitive domains. For six weeks, participants joined digital training sessions of one hour twice a week. The primary endpoint was attendance, and participants attending ≥80% of the sessions were categorized as completers. Acceptability was evaluated 1 week post-intervention using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8). A total CSQ-8 score ≥ 26 was defined as “very satisfied”, scores 20-25 as “satisfied”, and scores <20 as “not satisfied”.

Results

33 CCS with a median age of 50.0 years (range 35-67) were randomized to either GMT (N = 16) or CCT (N = 17). In the GMT group, all participants completed the intervention (100%), compared to 15 (88%) in the CCT group. Median CSQ-8 in the GMT and CCT group was 25 (SD 3.7, range 18-31) and 24 (SD 3.1, range 19-30) respectively. Participants in both groups reported a high level of satisfaction as 40% reported being “very satisfied” and 53% “satisfied”.

Conclusions

A digital cognitive training program such as GMT is feasible with a high level of compliance and satisfaction in CCS and is suitable to be tested in a larger study. Exploratory analyses of neuropsychological assessments in our study will provide important preliminary data on the efficacy of improving cognitive function in CCS.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Jan Kåre Heiberg and Marthe Vildåsen.

Disclosure

K. lindemann: Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant, Grants or contracts, paid to institution: GSK; Financial Interests, Institutional, Advisory Board, Participation on Data Safety Monitoring/advisory board: Eisai, MSD, Nycode, AstraZeneca, GSK. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.