Development of CBT for chemotherapy‐related cognitive change: results of a waitlist control trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is being developed for management of cognitive dysfunction following chemotherapy among breast cancer survivors. Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) is a brief CBT designed to improve the quality of life and function among cancer survivors with post-chemotherapy cognitive complaints. Methods An initial, two-group (MAAT versus waitlist, no treatment control), randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted. Forty stage I and II female breast cancer survivors (mean age = 50; SD = 6.4) were randomized to conditions and assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks) and 2-month follow-up assessment points on measures of: (1) self-reported daily cognitive failures; (2) quality of life; and (3) neuropsychological performance. Participants were also assessed for satisfaction with MAAT. Results With education and IQ as covariates, MAAT participants made significant improvements relative to controls on the spiritual well-being subscale of the quality of life measure and on verbal memory, but statistical significance was not achieved on self-report of daily cognitive complaints. However, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed on these outcomes. Participants gave MAAT high satisfaction ratings. Conclusions Although this initial RCT is a small study, MAAT participants appear to improve on one measure of quality of life and verbal memory performance relative to no treatment controls and rate MAAT with high satisfaction. These data are encouraging and support the continued development and evaluation of MAAT efficacy.

The chemo brain: Severe cognitive decline following chemotherapy of breast cancer

“…Nevertheless, a number of substances have been investigated in this respect, and there is some evidence that off-label use of antidepressants and lithium (among others) may be helpful [2]. In addition, CBT has been shown to be superior to a control condition [7].…”

Methylphenidate and Memory and Attention Adaptation Training for Persistent Cognitive Symptoms after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Initially developed for use in patients experiencing postconcussive symptoms (Ferguson and Mittenberg, 1996), MAAT was later adapted for treatment of cognitive symptoms after breast cancer chemotherapy, where preliminary data showed good feasibility and acceptability and beneficial treatment outcomes (Ferguson et al, 2007;Ferguson et al, 2012). The version of MAAT used in this study consisted of four biweekly 50-minute individual office visits focused on cognitive-behavioral strategy use.…”

Assessment of the feasibility of a rehabilitation intervention program for breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints

“…Ferguson conducted a randomized comparison with a waitlist control group (Ferguson et al 2007(Ferguson et al , 2012 in BCS to study a fourvisit cognitive behavioral training intervention with telephone follow-ups to teach participants new coping strategies and to compensate for memory dysfunction. Significant post-intervention improvements were found in verbal memory and quality of life but not for cognitive complaints.…”

“…Since that time, early studies of either cognitive behavioral therapy or psycho-education with cognitive training have reported encouraging results (Ferguson et al 2007(Ferguson et al , 2012Poppelreuter et al 2009;Schuurs and Green 2012;Von Ah et al 2012). In this paper we present descriptive information about the UCLA Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention Program for BCS with cognitive complaints, focusing on the feasibility of delivering the intervention in the target population, and examining the potential benefits of the program with regard to both self-reported cognitive function and neuropsychological test outcomes.…”