An intervention programme to reduce cognitive impairment due to cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development and feasibility testing of an intervention programme to reduce cognitive impairment due to cancer treatment
IRAS ID
181483
Contact name
Michael Donnelly
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 29 days
Research summary
Approximately, three out of every four cancer patients experience negative changes in thinking during receipt of chemotherapy. Around three out of ten cancer patients experience these changes in the long-term when chemotherapy has ended. Currently, there is no standard care for cancer patients who experience changes in thinking or cognitive impairment and there is a need for programs to support cancer patients who experience such changes so they can return to their usual activities once treatment has ended. This project aims to develop further a program of support for cancer patients who have experienced cognitive impairment as a result of chemotherapy. Based on evidence and theory, the intervention will target stress reduction in general via relaxation techniques and specific cognitive impairment coping via use of compensatory strategies. To develop further the intervention, qualitative interviews will be conducted with cancer patients and their families. At each interview, the intervention prototype will be presented and participants will be encouraged to provide their opinion and feedback on the potential benefits and shortcomings, as well as, suggested improvements. Additionally, a feasibility study will be undertaken with 30 cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy to appraise further the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Moreover, the intervention will be evaluated in terms of patient eligibility, potential recruitment difficulties, appropriate outcome measures as well as generating preliminary data to inform a larger evaluation study. Cancer patients will be identified from the Cancer Centre at the Belfast City Hospital to participate in the feasibility study. Participants will be assessed for changes in thinking using a range of measures to capture attention, memory etc. which will be administered to participants before- and after- chemotherapy and, after delivery of the intervention. The Medical Research Council's guidance for developing and evaluating complex interventions has been used to inform this study.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
15/NI/0174
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion