Can Breast Cancer Survivors Benefit from Speed of Processing Training? A Perspective Article on Treatment and Research

Abstract

For breast cancer survivors (BCS), issues related to quality of life after treatment have become increasingly important. Up to 75% of individuals receiving chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment and for many BCS, these impairments persist for a long time after treatment. In addition to these cognitive impairments, research suggests a higher rate of depression, anxiety, and distress in cancer survivors. The impact of these cognitive and emotional deficits impairs daily functioning, occupational performance, increases relationship stress and caregiver burden, contributes to poor emotional processing, and reduces quality of life. Fortunately, there are cognitive interventions that can improve targeted cognitive abilities along with general cognitive processes. Speed of processing (SOP) training, a type of cognitive remediation therapy, has been shown to improve cognitive performance on measures of visual attention, SOP, and timed-task performances. Furthermore, SOP has been shown to enhance neuromodulatory systems that improve mood, especially depression and other indicators of quality of life. Studies support the need for deeper investigation into the short-term and long-term benefits of SOP training as a behavioral adjunct for BCS.