Even mild cognitive dysfunction can have profound impact on professional, social and psychological functioning in cancer survivors. Up to date no therapeutic intervention, besides cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness, has proven to improve this problem. Cognitive testing is rarely performed in mild cognitive impairment. The effect of playing an online video game was investigated on various cognitive domains (attention, psychomotor speed, episodic memory, working memory and executive function), as well as on perception of quality of life, anxiety and depression, cognitive failure, sleep and cognitive insight.
46 patients of the breast cancer-unit of the Antwerp University Hospital complaining of chemo-brain voluntarily enrolled between august 2016 and october 2017. Aged 18-70 years, without brain metastasis, signs of dementia, or severe hearing- or vision impairment. They were randomized in two groups: group A (N = 23) played a videogame “Aquasnap” (MyCognition, London, UK) for 6 months and 90 minutes per week. Group B (N = 23) started the same video game after a waiting period of 3 months and played for 3 months. All patients performed online cognitive testing at home with “MyCQ Med” provided by the same company, on a monthly basis. Psychometric testing was offered at onset, 3 and 6 months using RAND 36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Cognitive Failure Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Cognitive Insight Scale.
Both groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in cognitive testresults (episodic memory, processing speed, working memory, executive function and attention), anxiety, sleep latency time, mental and cognitive health perception, vitality, quality of life, from onset to endpoint. Both groups showed deterioration of self-reflection. There was no difference between the two groups in objective cognitive testing, cognitive insight, perception of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cognitive failure nor overall well-being.
Both interventions had and an apparent effect on cognitive functioning. Overall a significant improvement of anxiety, vitality, sleep and cognitive perception was documented.
B300201627683.
\"Comite voor Methisch Ethiek\", Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium.
University Hospital Antwerp, Multidisciplinary Oncology Centre Antwerp, Belgium (MOCA), MyCognition, Ltd, London, United Kingdom.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.