Feasibility Testing of Remotely Delivered Metacognitive Strategy Training in Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of remotely delivered metacognitive strategy training (MCST) to address cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in breast cancer survivors.

DESIGN

Single-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

University research laboratory and community.

PARTICIPANTS

Women (N=42) with self-reported CRCI, aged 40-80 years, who completed chemotherapy for breast cancer between 6 months and 3 years prior were recruited from a local cancer center and community support groups.

METHODS

Outcome data were gathered before and after intervention. Participants (N=42) were randomized to either a 10-session Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP; ie, a type of MCST) group or an attention + education control group. All study procedures were conducted via secure videoconferencing.

INTERVENTIONS: Ten, 45-minute weekly sessions of remotely delivered MCST or an attention + education control group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated strong feasibility, with a 41% recruitment rate and a 91.3% retention rate. Participants rated the CO-OP intervention and its remote delivery as highly feasible, appropriate, and acceptable. The intervention group showed small to medium positive effects on trained activity performance goals, cognition in daily life, and executive function measures compared with the control group. The control group showed a small positive effect on quality-of-life outcomes compared with the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast cancer survivors found the remotely delivered CO-OP intervention to be suitable and practical. The positive effects of CO-OP on activity performance and cognitive outcomes support the need for further research on efficacy.