Mental activation training in cognitive functioning of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy – pilot study

Introduction
Currently research shows the occurrence of cognitive disorders (CI) in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. This justifies the implementation of cognitive training during its duration as interventions of minimizing the risk of early and late CI after treatment.

Aim
To perform preliminary assessment of the use of mental activation training (MAT) and identify risk factors and opportunities for studies of selected cognitive functions in patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Material and methods
Ten oncological patients with a diagnosis of cancer from outside the central nervous system (CNS), without symptoms of cognitive disorders, referred to radiotherapy with simultaneous intervention of MAT were included in the project. Three patients (P) applied for final examinations after medical treatment and MAT training. Selected measures of cognitive functions were used: Color Trails Test (CTT), Verbal Fluency Test (COWAT), Corsi Block-Tapping Task (CBT), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).

Results
After four (P1), five (P2) and three (P3) weeks of radiotherapy and MAT there was no decrease in results in selected measures of executive functions, attention and memory in P1 and P2. Moreover, in P1 the verbal function test score decreased, while in P3 most of the results improved. Several psychological and environmental factors influencing the study and drop out of seven patients from the project were also noted.

Conclusions
The presented results of the pilot study are a justification and preparation for a randomized, controlled clinical trial to test the effectiveness of cognitive training in maintaining or improving the level of cognitive function in patients undergoing radiation therapy.