scholarly journals Cross-Sectional Characterization of Local Brain Network Connectivity Pre and Post Breast Cancer Treatment and Distinct Association With Subjective Cognitive and Psychological Function

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelli R. Kesler ◽  
Tien Tang ◽  
Ashley M. Henneghan ◽  
Michelle Wright ◽  
M. Waleed Gaber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function ◽  
Local Brain

Objective: We aimed to characterize local brain network connectivity in long-term breast cancer survivors compared to newly diagnosed patients.Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and subjective cognitive and psychological function data were obtained from a group of 76 newly diagnosed, pre-treatment female patients with breast cancer (mean age 57 ± 7 years) and a separate group of 80, post-treatment, female breast cancer survivors (mean age 58 ± 8; mean time since treatment 44 ± 43 months). The network-based statistic (NBS) was used to compare connectivity of local brain edges between groups. Hubs were defined as nodes with connectivity indices one standard deviation or more above network mean and were further classified as provincial (higher intra-subnetwork connectivity) or connector (higher inter-subnetwork connectivity) using the participation coefficient. We determined the hub status of nodes encompassing significantly different edges and correlated the centralities of edges with behavioral measures.Results: The post-treatment group demonstrated significantly lower subjective cognitive function (W = 3,856, p = 0.004) but there were no group differences in psychological distress (W = 2,866, p = 0.627). NBS indicated significantly altered connectivity (p < 0.042, corrected) in the post-treatment group compared to the pre-treatment group largely in temporal, frontal-temporal and temporal-parietal areas. The majority of the regions projecting these connections (78%) met criteria for hub status and significantly less of these hubs were connectors in the post-treatment group (z = 1.85, p = 0.031). Subjective cognitive function and psychological distress were correlated with largely non-overlapping edges in the post-treatment group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Widespread functional network alterations are evident in long-term survivors of breast cancer compared to newly diagnosed patients. We also demonstrated that there are both overlapping and unique brain network signatures for subjective cognitive function vs. psychological distress.

scholarly journals 1030 An Exploration of the Impact of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy of Insomnia (CBT-I) on Perceived Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Survivors

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A391-A392
Author(s):  
N Walsh ◽  
S Garland ◽  
R Lester ◽  
J McCarthy ◽  
K Laing
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Research ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Abstract Introduction Insomnia and cognitive impairment are prevalent and persistent symptoms in cancer survivors. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is effective for improving insomnia and comorbid symptoms in cancer survivors but there are very few empirically supported treatments that can improve cognitive impairment. This feasibility study explored the impact of CBT-I on perceived cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors. Methods We enrolled 10 early stage breast cancer survivors with insomnia disorder and perceived cognitive impairment. Participants received 7 individual sessions of CBT-I over the course of 8 weeks and completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) questionnaires and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline and post-treatment. Paired samples t-tests were used to assess change over time. Results The sample was predominantly diagnosed with stage II breast cancer (60%). Women were an average age of 50.8 (SD 6.84) and 18.2 (SD 3.62) years of education. CBT-I significantly reduced insomnia severity [19.4 to 7.1; t(9)= 6.56, p < .001] and improved perceived cognitive impairment [t(9)= -3.55, p < .01], perceived cognitive ability [t(9)= -2.87, p < .05], quality of life [t(9)= -3.14, p < .05], and overall subjective cognitive function [t(9)= -3.67, p < .01]. Although participants began treatment with low levels of mood disturbance, CBT-I further decreased symptoms of anxiety (baseline: M= 10.10, SD= 4.34; post-treatment M= 8.20, SD= 3.91) and depression (baseline: M= 7.90, SD= 3.45; post-treatment M= 5.30, SD= 2.83), although not statistically significant. Conclusion This study suggests CBT-I may improve perceived cognitive impairment in cancer survivors, in addition to insomnia and mood. Future randomized controlled trials with larger samples and objective measurements of cognition are needed. Support Nyissa Walsh is a trainee in the Cancer Research Training Program of the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute (BHCRI). Dr. Sheila Garland is supported by a Scotiabank New Investigator Award from BHCRI.

scholarly journals Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) Intervention on Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542093845
Author(s):  
Ke Ding ◽  
Xiuqing Zhang ◽  
Jingjing Zhao ◽  
He Zuo ◽  
Ziran Bi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Before And After

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), which is used to reduce chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), relieve psychological distress, and improve quality of life (QOL) in Chinese breast cancer survivors (BCs). Methods: Seventy-four BCs were enrolled in this study. All patients were randomly assigned to either the CALM group or the care as usual (CAU) group. All patients were evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog), Distress Thermometer (DT), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast (FACT-B) before and after CALM or CAU application to BCs with CRCI. We compared the differences in all these scores between the CALM group and the control group and analyzed the correlation between cognitive function and QOL. Results: Compared with the CAU group, the performance of the CALM group on the FACT-Cog, DT, and FACT-B showed significant differences before and after CALM ( t = −18.909, −5.180, −32.421, P = .000, .000, .000, respectively). Finally, there was a positive correlation between cognitive function and QOL in breast cancer patients before ( r = 0.579, P = .000) and after ( r = 0.797, P = .000) treatment. Conclusions: The present results indicated that CALM has salutary effects on the improvement of cognitive impairment and QOL and relieves psychological distress in breast cancer patients, which may be due to a positive correlation between psychological distress and cognitive function or QOL.

scholarly journals Effect of Tai Chi Chuan practice on immune system and pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 013-019
Author(s):  
Mary NB Cheung ◽  
Wings Tjing Yung Loo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) to improve immune system and decrease pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Methods: 130 post-treatment breast cancer survivors were recruited and randomized 1:1 into TCC group and wait-list (control) group. The TCC group practiced for a 60-minutes session once per week, for a total of 52 weeks. 115 forms of Yang-style TCC were taught by a Tai Chi master. Blood samples were taken from each subject and complete blood count was performed. The expressions of NKG2D protein, P-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in plasma were measured. Lymphocyte activity was measured by cell proliferation reagent and ATP assay. Images of lymphocyte colony formation were taken with an inverted microscope. Results: At 52 weeks, TCC group demonstrated a significantly higher WBC (p=0.001) , a significantly higher NKG2D value (p=0.001) and a significantly lower VEGF value (p=0.005) when compared to the wait-list group. However, there was a small, non-significant change for P-selectin values between the breast cancer survivor groups. After 72h incubation, TCC group had a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation (p=0.001) and greater area of lymphocyte clusters or colonies (p=0.001). Conclusion: The practice of TCC could stimulate tumor immunosurveillance via NKG2D and activate the immune response. VEGF, a marker playing an important role in breast cancer and its metastases, was also reduced in those who practiced TCC. As an alternative for conventional exercise, post-treatment breast cancer survivors may select TCC in their rehabilitation program.

scholarly journals Effects of smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Bok Yae Chung ◽  
Sung Jung Hong
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Nursing Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors on cognitive function and physical health. Methods: A quasi-experimental control group pretest posttest design was used. Subjects were recruited in D city, and data were collected from July 2017 to February 2018. The experimental group (n=24) participated in the smart-care services program, whereas the control group (n=26) received conventional management. The smart-care services program consisted of addressing cognitive function problems arising from chemotherapy, diet, exercise, head/neck massage and self-monitoring using smartphone applications and smart bands. All participants underwent assessments at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation), a chi-squared test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: After the smart-care services program, significant differences were found between the groups in cognitive function (F=18.91, p<.001) and sleep time (F=9.25, p<.001). No significant differences were found between the groups in caloric consumption after the program. Conclusion: The smart-care services program significantly improved the level of cognitive function and sleep time for breast cancer survivors. The use of this smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors might be an effective nursing intervention tool for improving cognitive function and health behaviors.

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