Abstract
Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) is a common complaint among cancer patients. High correlation between self-efficacy (SE) before adjuvant treatment started with SCI and depression three month later, suggest that SE should be part of intervention
Primary Author and Speaker: Danit Langer
Additional Authors and Speakers: Asnat Bar-Haim Erez
Contributing Authors: Vered Rubacha Weiss
Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) is a common complaint among cancer patients. However, there is a paucity of researches regarding correlations between self-efficacy for coping with cancer (SE), SCI & depression. The study evaluates SCI, depression and SE of adults with non-CNS cancer, at two points of time, before adjuvant treatments (T1) and three months after treatment begun (T2). Correlations between SE measured before adjuvant treatments and SCI and depression three month later were examined. This is a non-experimental survey of 21 cancer patients, 24-63 yo., 80% women. The FACT-Cog & PHQ-9 were administered at T1 &T2 and SE questionnaire ’Cancer Behavior Inventory’ (CBI-l V3) at T1 (study in progress). The participants’ score of perceived cognitive impermeant (PCI), comments from others (Oth) & perceived cognitive abilities (PCA) subscales of the Fact-cog at T1, were at the 60th percentile, yet the cognitive QOL subscale was beneath norm. Mild depression was reported and significant negative moderate-high correlation was found between depression and PCA subscale (r=-0.569) and cognitive QOL (r=-0.622). Significant differences between T1 and T2 were found only for PCI (Z=-2.192, p=.028) & PHQ-9 (Z=-2.212, p=.027) reflecting an increase in perceived cognitive impairment and depression. Finally, high significant correlations were found between the FACT-Cog and subscales of the CBI: Seeking support; Maintaining independence; Seeking and understanding medical information; Accepting cancer. A moderate-high significant correlation was found between the CBI total score and the PHQ-9. Overall participants reported within low normal SCI before adjuvant treatment begun, yet they complaint of cognitive QOL decline. Moreover, SCI correlated with higher levels of depression. The significant high correlations between SE at T1 and SCI and depression at T2 are noteworthy and OT’s treating clients with cancer might consider evaluating SE and offering intervention.
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