Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors

Introduction Cancer survivors frequently report suffering from neurocognitive impairment, that persists after physical recovery from their disease. Cognitive impairment is associated with important emotional disturbances, socio-professional consequences and diminished quality of life. Objectives T...

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Main Authors: A. Rogiers, D. Kyndt, S. Van Eycken, J.-C. Le Febvre, M. Brohee, C. Degols, C. Fontaine, B. Neyns, C. Kornreich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022-06-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822016959/type/journal_article
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author A. Rogiers
D. Kyndt
S. Van Eycken
J.-C. Le Febvre
M. Brohee
C. Degols
C. Fontaine
B. Neyns
C. Kornreich
author_facet A. Rogiers
D. Kyndt
S. Van Eycken
J.-C. Le Febvre
M. Brohee
C. Degols
C. Fontaine
B. Neyns
C. Kornreich
author_sort A. Rogiers
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Cancer survivors frequently report suffering from neurocognitive impairment, that persists after physical recovery from their disease. Cognitive impairment is associated with important emotional disturbances, socio-professional consequences and diminished quality of life. Objectives This observational study aims to assess the effectives of an integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNRCT), offered as a 12-week program (1day/week), organized within our Cognitive Remediation Clinic. The iNCRT combines personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive strategy training, with group sessions of physical exercise, mindfulness, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Methods The assessment before and after NCRT includes neuropsychological testing (10 subtests), assessment of daily functioning and subjective neurocognitive function (NCF). Results Out of 16 eligible cancer survivors, 12 patients were recruited and 11 completed the iNCRT; median age 53 years [range, 41-71]; 3 patients had a prior history of a central nervous system tumor, 5 patients of breast cancer, 2 patients of stage-IV melanoma, and 1 patient of gastric cancer. After iNCRT subjective NCF did not improve significantly (p=0.13) according to the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire. However neuropsychological assessment revealed an improvement on ≥ 1 impaired subtest in all patients; 6 patients improved on ≥ 4 impaired subtests. Improvement was most prominent in long-term verbal and visual memory, working memory and executive function. All patients reported a clinical benefit in their daily function after completion of iNCRT. Conclusions Our iNRCT, which combines personalized neurocognitive training with physical exercise, mindfulness and CBT can be an effective therapeutic model for treating neurocognitive impairment in cancer survivors, with a clinically relevant impact on their daily function. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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spelling doaj.art-9d3e4ffdc62a4328934ed6cf4f07b2b02023-11-17T05:07:56ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S660S66010.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1695Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivorsA. Rogiers0D. Kyndt1S. Van Eycken2J.-C. Le Febvre3M. Brohee4C. Degols5C. Fontaine6B. Neyns7C. Kornreich8CHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, Belgium UZ Brussels, Oncology, Brussels, BelgiumCHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, BelgiumCHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, BelgiumCHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, BelgiumCHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, BelgiumCHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, BelgiumUZ Brussels, Oncology, Brussels, BelgiumUZ Brussels, Oncology, Brussels, BelgiumCHU Brugmann, Psychiatry, Brussels, Belgium Introduction Cancer survivors frequently report suffering from neurocognitive impairment, that persists after physical recovery from their disease. Cognitive impairment is associated with important emotional disturbances, socio-professional consequences and diminished quality of life. Objectives This observational study aims to assess the effectives of an integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNRCT), offered as a 12-week program (1day/week), organized within our Cognitive Remediation Clinic. The iNCRT combines personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive strategy training, with group sessions of physical exercise, mindfulness, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Methods The assessment before and after NCRT includes neuropsychological testing (10 subtests), assessment of daily functioning and subjective neurocognitive function (NCF). Results Out of 16 eligible cancer survivors, 12 patients were recruited and 11 completed the iNCRT; median age 53 years [range, 41-71]; 3 patients had a prior history of a central nervous system tumor, 5 patients of breast cancer, 2 patients of stage-IV melanoma, and 1 patient of gastric cancer. After iNCRT subjective NCF did not improve significantly (p=0.13) according to the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire. However neuropsychological assessment revealed an improvement on ≥ 1 impaired subtest in all patients; 6 patients improved on ≥ 4 impaired subtests. Improvement was most prominent in long-term verbal and visual memory, working memory and executive function. All patients reported a clinical benefit in their daily function after completion of iNCRT. Conclusions Our iNRCT, which combines personalized neurocognitive training with physical exercise, mindfulness and CBT can be an effective therapeutic model for treating neurocognitive impairment in cancer survivors, with a clinically relevant impact on their daily function. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822016959/type/journal_articlecancersurvivorcognitive remediation therapycognitive impairmentNeurocognitive function
spellingShingle A. Rogiers
D. Kyndt
S. Van Eycken
J.-C. Le Febvre
M. Brohee
C. Degols
C. Fontaine
B. Neyns
C. Kornreich
Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors
European Psychiatry
cancersurvivor
cognitive remediation therapy
cognitive impairment
Neurocognitive function
title Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors
title_full Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors
title_fullStr Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors
title_full_unstemmed Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors
title_short Exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy (iNCRT) for cancer survivors
title_sort exploratory study on the effectiveness of integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy incrt for cancer survivors
topic cancersurvivor
cognitive remediation therapy
cognitive impairment
Neurocognitive function
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822016959/type/journal_article
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