IMPACT OF CHEMOTHERAPY ON MEMORY, ATTENTION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS DEPENDING ON THE STAGES OF TREATMENT AND THE LEVEL OF DEPRESSION IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH CANCER
Journal Title: Acta Neuropsychologica - Year 2014, Vol 12, Issue 4
Abstract
Background: This study examined the neuropsychological effects of che motherapy on female cancer patients’ cognitive processes, depending on their stages of cancer treatment and mood (level of depression). Material/Methods: The study included 90 women, aged 18 -72: 45 female patients with cancer treated with chemotherapy and 45 match ed healthy subjects. The patients were classified into three stages of therapy: Initial Stage – a maximum of 3 cycles of chemotherapy, Chronic Stage – 4 to 6 chemotherapy cycles and Recurrence and/or Metastasis – a maximum of 2 cycles during the second bout of the disease. The methods used were: the Rey 15-Item Memory Test, the Attention and Perceptiveness Test, the Tower of London Test and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: The results indicated a higher intensity of depression in the group of patients. Processes of verbal memory and attention focused on verbal stimuli occur correctly in patients. We found a lower rate and precision in visual perception, slower ope ration rate, inhibition impairments, but an effective pro cess of planning in the group of patients in comparison with the controls. We did not find any sig nificant impact on the part of emotional state on the cognitive effects of chemotherapy in patients. The Chronic Stage of chemotherapy is a risk factor for the emergence of psychomotor retardation. Conclusions: Cognitive functions are altered in female patients receiving chemotherapy, which confirmed the existence of the phenomenon of chemobrain. The effects of chemotherapy do not show as specific impairments in the processes of selective cognitive functions and the impact is of a non-specific nature.
Authors and Affiliations
Magdalena Bury, Aneta Borkowska, Beata Daniluk
Keywords
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