Breast cancer affects 22,000 new people a year, often women, according to the Spanish Cancer Association. Some of those affected complain of cognitive problems associated with cancer treatment, alterations that they did not have before, such as memory lapses or forgetfulness.
Linda M. Ercoli and a group of American researchers have shown that it is possible to intervene successfully on these problems. In a study published in Brain Imaging and Behavior (2013), they describe how a group of breast cancer survivors participated in a group cognitive training program for five weeks. Neurocognitive evaluations carried out before and after the intervention showed that there was a significantly lower number of specific memory complaints, as well as an improvement in tests of attention, inhibition and psychomotor speed.
In addition, a subset of the study participants underwent a quantitative resting electroencephalography test. After the training program, an increase in the absolute value of alpha brain waves was observed , which was associated with a reduction in the number of cognitive complaints presented by patients.
The authors conclude by stating that cognitive intervention to improve the mental functioning of people who survive breast cancer is a possible initiative and that important changes can be achieved both on a subjective level and in objective tests.
Marisa Fernández, Senior Neuropsychologist, Unobrain
