Memory Training Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors

Memory deficits are a prevalent, bothersome, and potentially debilitating symptom for millions of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Evidence-based treatment is difficult because there has been little intervention research in this area. Memory training may be a viable treatment option for BCS in need. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the acceptability, usefulness, and preliminary efficacy of the memory training intervention from the Advanced Cognitive Training in Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial, the largest controlled trial of cognitive interventions in the behavioral sciences. The memory training intervention will be compared to attention control and no-contact control groups. Specific aims are to (1) evaluate the acceptability and usefulness of the memory intervention in BCS and (2) establish preliminary efficacy of the ACTIVE memory training intervention relative to attention control and no-contact control conditions. Acceptability and usefulness will be assessed through self-report. Memory will be assessed through objective neuropsychological tests. A total of 108 eligible BCS will be randomized to memory training, attention control, or no-contact control. A blinded and trained tester will perform data collection and neuropsychological testing at three time points: baseline prior to the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 2 months post-intervention. Findings will provide information about the acceptability, usefulness, and preliminary efficacy of the ACTIVE memory training intervention on memory performance in BCS. Positive results will lead to a larger, full-scale study to determine efficacy of memory training interventions for BCS. Nursing interventional research in this area is vital to the development of evidence-based interventions to address memory deficits in BCS.

Inclusion criteria

• female gender (breast cancer is rare in men);
• self-reported memory impairment and desire for treatment (to focus on BCS in greatest need);
• first diagnosis of non-metastatic breast cancer (to control for multiple treatments or brain metastases in women with recurrent or metastatic disease);
• ≥ 1 year post-treatment including surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy (reduce confounding factors related to acute effects of treatment);32
• age ≥ 40 years (our prior studies indicate approximately 75% of BCS meet this criterion and reduce sample variability);
• post-menopausal (majority are post-menopausal at diagnosis and reduce sample variability); and
• able to read, write, understand, and speak English (to ensure informed consent).

Exclusion criteria

Women will be excluded if they have other co-morbidities or deficits that would sufficiently impair performance or inhibit cognitive training including:

• substantial cognitive decline (score < 24 on the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE);33
• history of stroke, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, brain surgery, dementia, Alzheimer disease, or Parkinson disease;
• cranial radiation therapy or intrathecal therapy;
• current active major depression or substance abuse or history of bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, or learning disability;
• history of or current other cancer except for basal cell skin cancer; or
• receiving other cognitive training (to avoid exposure to other training).