Cognitive Symptoms Across Diverse Cancers.

Importance: Psychosocial health services for adults with cancer should include support for cognitive symptoms and symptom clusters.

Objective: To characterize the frequency and severity of cognitive symptoms and to identify demographic and clinical risk factors associated with moderate to severe cognitive symptoms among outpatient adults with cancer seeking psychosocial support.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from routine patient-reported symptom screening during clinic appointments at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019.

A phase 2 study of a longitudinal multidimensional rehabilitation program for allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation patients.

Allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (alloBMT) is a curative treatment for blood cancers associated with various treatment-related adverse events and morbidities for which rehabilitation programs are currently limited. A phase 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of CaRE-4-alloBMT, a longitudinal, multidimensional cancer rehabilitation program for patients undergoing alloBMT. The primary outcomes included the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and the methods.

CaRE@ELLICSR: Effects of a clinically integrated, group-based, multidimensional cancer rehabilitation program.

Background: Although oncology clinical practice guidelines recognize the need and benefits of exercise, the implementation of these services into cancer care delivery remains limited. We developed and evaluated the impact of a clinically integrated 8-week exercise and education program (CaRE@ELLICSR).

Methods: We conducted a mixed methods, prospective cohort study to examine the effects of the program.

A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of Prehabilitation During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Women with Breast Cancer: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Limited data exist regarding the role of multimodal prehabilitation during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for breast cancer. Determining large trial feasibility and identifying signals of prehabilitation benefit are needed.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled feasibility trial of multimodal prehabilitation versus usual care during NACT among women diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Neural alpha oscillations index context-driven perception of ambiguous vowel sequences.

Perception of bistable stimuli is influenced by prior context. In some cases, the interpretation matches with how the preceding stimulus was perceived; in others, it tends to be the opposite of the previous stimulus percept. We measured high-density electroencephalography (EEG) while participants were presented with a sequence of vowels that varied in formant transition, promoting the perception of one or two auditory streams followed by an ambiguous bistable sequence.

A longitudinal multidimensional rehabilitation program for patients undergoing allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (CaRE-4-alloBMT): Protocol for a phase II feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (alloBMT) is a curative treatment for blood cancers associated with various treatment-related adverse events and morbidities. Current rehabilitation programs are limited for patients undergoing alloBMT and research is urgently needed to test the acceptability and effectiveness of these programs. In response, we developed a 6-month multidimensional longitudinal rehabilitation program that spans from pre transplant to 3 months post transplant discharge (CaRE-4-alloBMT).

Fear of cancer recurrence therapy (FORT): A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Most fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) interventions have small effects, and few target FCR. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) with breast and gynecological cancer survivors evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive-existential fear of recurrence therapy (FORT) compared to an attention placebo control group (living well with cancer [LWWC]) on FCR.

Method: One hundred and sixty-four women with clinical levels of FCR and cancer distress were randomly assigned to 6-weekly, 120 min FORT (n = 80) or LWWC (n = 84) group sessions.

Neurocognitive impairment, neurobehavioral symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Background: In addition to poor survival rates, individuals with glioblastoma (GBM) are at risk of neurocognitive impairment due to multiple factors. This study aimed to characterize neurocognitive impairment, neurobehavioral symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms in newly diagnosed GBM patients; and to examine whether neurobehavioral symptoms, fatigue, sleep, and depressive symptoms influence neurocognitive performance.

Methods: This study was part of a prospective, inception cohort, single-arm exercise intervention in which GBM patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment shortly after diagnosis (median 4 weeks; ie, baseline) and 3, 6, 12, and 18 months later, or until tumor progression.

Neurocognitive Performance in Adults Treated With Radiation for a Primary Brain Tumor.

Purpose: The contributory effects of radiation dose to different brain regions on neurocognitive performance after radiation therapy (RT) for primary brain tumors is not well known.

Methods And Materials: In this retrospective cohort study, 30 patients with brain tumors treated with photon RT were identified, and radiation dosimetric parameters across brain regions were calculated. All patients had longitudinal neurocognitive evaluations at baseline and after treatment.

Neural correlates of concurrent sound perception: A review and guidelines for future research.

The perception of concurrent sound sources depends on processes (i.e., auditory scene analysis) that fuse and segregate acoustic features according to harmonic relations, temporal coherence, and binaural cues (encompass dichotic pitch, location difference, simulated echo).

Brain Fog in Hypothyroidism: What Is It, How Is It Measured, and What Can Be Done About It.

Some levothyroxine (LT4)-treated hypothyroid patients report a constellation of persistent and distressing cognitive symptoms that has been termed brain fog. This narrative review focuses on attempts to define and measure hypothyroid-associated brain fog, summarize possible etiologies and contributing factors, present treatment options, and propose avenues for future research. Published literature was reviewed to summarize available information on patient-reported symptoms associated with brain fog in hypothyroidism, as well as objective evidence of impairment based on neurocognitive testing and functional imaging studies.

Evaluation of Usability and Satisfaction of Two Online Tools to Guide Return to Work for Cancer Survivors on the Cancer and Work Website.

Prompt services and work-focused support systems are needed to aid cancer survivors returning to work or finding work. Purpose This knowledge translation and implementation project focused on the knowledge users' experience and need for refinement of three work-focused tools to support return to work and maintain work following cancer through their participation in a hands-on workshop. The tools assessed for their utility are a Job Analysis Tool (JAT), a Return to Work (RTW) tool, and a bilingual Canadian website on Cancer and Work.

Chemo-brain: An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Adults with non-central nervous system (CNS) cancers frequently report problems in attention, memory and executive function during or after chemotherapy, referred to as cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD). Despite numerous studies investigating CRCD, there is no consensus regarding the brain areas implicated. We sought to determine if there are brain areas that consistently show either hyper- or hypo-activation in people treated with chemotherapy for non-CNS cancer (Chemo+).

CaRE @ Home: Pilot Study of an Online Multidimensional Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Program for Cancer Survivors.

Background: Although facility-based cancer rehabilitation and exercise programs exist, patients are often unable to attend due to distance, cost, and other competing obligations. There is a need for scalable remote interventions that can reach and serve a larger population.

Methods: We conducted a mixed methods pilot study to assess the feasibility, acceptability and impact of CaRE@Home: an 8-week online multidimensional cancer rehabilitation and exercise program.

Sexual satisfaction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors: Rates and determinants.

Objectives: Sexual health problems have been identified as an unmet need in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. In particular, little is known about such outcomes in survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study of NPC survivors with ≥4y follow-up was undertaken.

The Development and Evaluation of a Patient Educational Resource for Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction.

Cancer patients and survivors frequently experience cognitive deficits, including problems with attention and memory. These symptoms, referred to as cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD), are associated with distress. Learning about CRCD and self-management strategies may improve functioning and quality of life in cancer survivors.

The Prevalence and Determinants of Return to Work in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors.

Purpose: To assess the employment status in working-age survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and explore clinical, treatment, and sociodemographic factors that may facilitate or impede successful return to work (RTW).

Methods And Materials: This Canadian study was part of a larger cross-sectional study assessing late toxicities in 107 disease-free survivors of NPC who received curative-intent intensity modulated radiation therapy ≥4 years earlier. For this substudy, eligible participants were employed at diagnosis and were of working age (<65 years) at study enrollment.

Cognitive functioning in thyroid cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Some thyroid cancer (TC) survivors experience cognitive symptoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic literature review and meta-analysis comparing cognitive performance in TC survivors to controls.

Methods: We performed a seven-database electronic search and hand-search.

Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment of Port-Wine Stains in Infancy Without the Need for General Anesthesia.

Importance: Recent concerns regarding repetitive use of general anesthesia in children younger than 3 years have placed greater importance on the controversy surrounding the timing of the initiation of port-wine stain (PWS) laser treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the use of PWS treatments at the age of 1 year or younger in the office setting without general anesthesia.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Retrospective cohort study based on medical record reviews at a single, high-volume laser center for children who started pulsed dye laser treatment at the age of 1 year or younger for their PWS between 2000 and 2017.

Cognitive rehabilitation for executive dysfunction in brain tumor patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Patients with brain tumors face unique quality of life challenges. Executive dysfunction is common and functionally limiting, with no established treatments as standard care. This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of Goal Management Training (GMT), a behavioral intervention combining mindfulness and strategy training, for improving executive and real-life functioning in this population.

A cross sectional study in cognitive and neurobehavioral impairment in long-term nasopharyngeal cancer survivors treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Purpose/objectives: To determine neurocognitive and neurobehavioral impairment in long-term nasopharyngeal cancer survivors (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Materials/methods: A cross-sectional cohort of NPC ≥4 years (y) following IMRT was assessed. Objective cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and patient-reported memory was assessed with the MDASI-HN problems remembering item.