Emerging From the Haze™: Pilot Feasibility Study Comparing Two Virtual Formats of a Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To gather feasibility and preliminary data comparing two virtual delivery methods for providing Emerging From the Haze™ (Haze) to cancer survivors compared to waitlist control (WLC). SAMPLE & SETTING: Eligible participants (N = 93) reported cancer-related cognitive impairment following chemotherapy for stage I-III solid tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS & VARIABLES: A three-arm randomized design was used to compare virtual live group presentation of Haze sessions, virtual prerecorded Haze group sessions, and WLC. Data were collected at baseline, week 10, and week 14. RESULTS: Feasibility was demonstrated. Significant cognitive function improvement at week 10 versus WLC was reported for the live group, and clinical improvement was reported for the prerecorded group. The prerecorded group reported significant improvement at week 14 versus WLC in physical activity, sleep, and health-related quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Additional pilot and feasibility evidence for cognitive rehabilitation interventions was demonstrated. Prerecorded Haze delivery shows potential for clinical effectiveness and scalability. Future multisite research is warranted.

Psycholinguistic Assessment of Cognitive Function in Breast Cancer Survivors.

OBJECTIVES: To gather preliminary data on correlations among psycholinguistic measures, self-report of cognitive function, and performance on neurocognitive tests in breast cancer survivors. SAMPLE & SETTING: Participants were breast cancer survivors who reported issues with cognitive function after completion of chemotherapy. This secondary analysis used data from participants in parent studies at two National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers. METHODS & VARIABLES: Qualitative interview transcripts (N = 52) underwent psycholinguistic analyses for grammatical and semantic complexity. Relationships among six psycholinguistic variables, self-report of cognitive function, and performance on neurocognitive tests were examined. RESULTS: Three grammatical complexity variables had a significant positive correlation to self-report of cognitive function. One semantic complexity variable had a significant positive correlation to delayed recall neurocognitive tests. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Results suggest that psycholinguistic analysis may be used to assess cognitive function among breast cancer survivors. Confirmatory studies are needed to establish the correlation between psycholinguistic measures, self-report of cognitive function, and domain-specific tests of neurocognitive performance, as well as to evaluate longitudinal sensitivity to change.