Experiences of cognitive training on primary breast cancer survivor's cognitive impairments at work: a longitudinal qualitative study

Chapman, B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0959-4653, Derakshan, N. and Grunfeld, E. A. (2022) Experiences of cognitive training on primary breast cancer survivor's cognitive impairments at work: a longitudinal qualitative study. British journal of health psychology, 28 (1). pp. 252-270. ISSN 2044-8287 doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12623

Abstract/Summary

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is associated with adverse work-related outcomes in women living with a history of primary breast cancer. We explored the perceived impact of receiving adaptive cognitive training (dual n-back training) or active control training (dual 1-back training) on CRCI. Furthermore, we explored the perceived transfer effects of cognitive training on work-related self-management methods for cognitive impairment and work-related outcomes such as career development. Longitudinal qualitative study. A 'framework' analysis approach was used to analyse semi-structured telephone interviews completed by women with a history of primary breast cancer before training (N = 40), one month (N = 30) and six months (N = 29) post-training. Four main themes were identified: (1) impact of cognitive impairment at work, (2) perceived impact of cognitive training on impaired cognitive function, (3) perceived effects of training on work-related self-management methods for cognitive impairment and (4) perceived impact on women's career development and progression. Compared to baseline, women who received adaptive dual n-back training reported sustained improvement in multiple cognitive domains including memory and attention up to six months post-training when the follow-up interviews were conducted. Perceived improvements in cognitive function were associated with greater self-confidence and better emotional well-being in work. These improvements were found to lower dependency on self-management methods for cognitive impairment and enhance effectiveness as well as prompt career development or progression for many women. Although some findings of a similar nature were reported in the active control dual 1-back training group the perceived effects were more pronounced and consistent in the dual n-back group. Adaptive cognitive training (dual n-back training) improves perceived CRCI experienced by women in the workplace, enhancing their self-confidence and general emotional well-being. These perceived improvements, in turn, can decrease reliance on self-management methods for cognitive impairment and improve work efficiency and contribute to career development and progression. [Abstract copyright: © 2022 British Psychological Society.]

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/107516
Identification Number/DOI	10.1111/bjhp.12623
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords	workability, cancer-related cognitive impairment, work-related self-management methods for cognitive impairment, adaptive cognitive training, career development, qualitative, breast cancer
Publisher	Wiley
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