Predictors of quality of life among adults with self-reported cancer related cognitive impairment

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of the current study was to examine the unique contribution of personal and medical factors, objective and subjective cognition, and self-efficacy to the explained variance of quality of life (QoL) among survivors with self-reported cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI).

Method

Seventy-three cancer survivors (non-central nervous system) with CRCI (mean age: 50.85 ± 10.82 years old, mean years post-treatment: 3 ± 2.7) participated in this cross-sectional study. QoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)–GP, while the cognitive function was assessed both objectively using tests of attentional control, speed of processing and sustained attention, and subjectively using the FACT-Cognition perceived cognitive impairments (FACTcog-PCI) subscale. Self-efficacy was assessed using the New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSE).

Results

A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sustained attention, perceived cognitive impairment and self-efficacy, accounted for 54% of the variance of QoL (R² = 0.543, p < 0.000), each providing a unique contribution to the explained variance (15–20% each) after controlling for age and gender.

Conclusions

Considering that these variables may be amenable to change, this model can serve as a conceptual framework for designing effective cognitive treatment options for CRCI. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT

Implication for rehabilitation

• Cancer related cognitive impairment is characterized by difficulties in the speed of processing performance, severe perceived cognitive impairments, and relatively low general self-efficacy.

• Multi-dimensional assessments including subjective and objective cognition as well as self-efficacy should be administered to cancer survivors with cognitive complaints to understand the underlying mechanisms of their QoL.

• Integrative cognitive rehabilitation interventions that aim to improve QoL among people with cancer-related cognitive impairment should target sustained attention, perceived cognitive impairment, and self-efficacy.

Keywords:

• Quality of life
• cognitive decline
• objective cognition
• subjective cognition
• self-efficacy

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants from Hadassah medical centre for their participation in this study. In addition, we thank the medical staff of Hadassah medical centre for their cooperation, especially Nechama Silberman and Shai Netanel Nagary.

Ethics approval

Ethical approval was obtained from Hadassah Helsinki committee Board on February 26, 2018 (protocol no. 0138-18-HMO)

Presentation of the research

The work submitted is our own and copyright has not been breached in seeking its publication. The submitted work and its essential substance have not previously been published and are not being considered for publication elsewhere.

Disclosure statement

Contributors and their funding sources have been properly acknowledged. All individuals listed as authors meet the appropriate authorship criteria; nobody who qualifies for authorship has been omitted from the list. Contributors and their funding sources have been properly acknowledged. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This Work was supported by the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) and the Israel Cancer Association (#20191362).