Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Web-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention for cancer-related cognitive impairment following chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma: a randomised pilot trial. (#506)

Priscilla Gates 1 2 , Karla Gough 3 4 , Heather J Green 5 , Haryana M Dhillon 6 , Janette L Vardy 7 8 , Michael Dickinson 9 , Mei Krishnasamy 2 4 , Trish M Livingston 10 , Victoria M White 10 , Anna Ugalde 10 , Jade Guarnera 1 , Karen Caeyenberghs 1
  1. Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
  2. Academic Nursing Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
  6. Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Centre for Medical Psychology& Evidence-based Decision-Making, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  7. The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  8. Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation and General Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  9. Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  10. Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

Cancer-related cognitive impairment is common among people diagnosed with and treated for cancer. This can be both distressing and disabling for affected individuals. While appropriate support, including better preparation and intervention are indicated, there is a paucity of research in this area. For example, most interventions have been trialled in people diagnosed with solid tumours, with little trial data available on people diagnosed with haematological malignancies. The main aim of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of methods and procedures intended for use in a large-scale trial of Responding to Cognitive Concerns (eReCog), a web-based cognitive rehabilitation program, in people diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma who have received chemotherapy.

Methods and analysis

This study is a single-site, parallel-group, pilot randomised controlled trial, with one baseline and one follow-up (or post-intervention) assessment. Thirty-eight people with perceived reduction in cognitive functioning, who have completed chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma, will be recruited from a specialist cancer center between July 2023 and June 2024. After baseline assessment, participants are randomised one-to-one to receive usual care only (a factsheet about changes in memory and thinking for people with cancer) or eReCog plus usual care. The four-week eReCog intervention consists of four online modules offering psychoeducation on cognitive impairment associated with cancer and its treatment, skills training for improving memory and attention and relaxation training.  Study outcomes include feasibility of recruitment; adherence to, usability of and intrinsic motivation to engage with eReCog; compliance with assessments; and retention of enrolled participants until the end of the trial. The potential efficacy of eReCog will also be evaluated. Findings from this study will inform a future, large multi-site RCT to test the effectiveness of a novel intervention to improve cognitive outcomes and quality of life.