TY - JOUR

T1 - Combining subjective and objective appraisals of cognitive dysfunction in patients with cancer

T2 - a deeper understanding of meaning and impact on suffering?

AU - Boelsbjerg, Hanne Bess

AU - Kurita, Geana Paula

AU - Sjogren, Per

AU - Hansen, Niels Viggo

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Purpose Patients with advanced cancer often experience cognitive dysfunction, which may influence decision making, self-perception, and existential well-being. However, there is little evidence regarding this issue. This study analysed associations between objective neuropsychological measures and patients' self-report of cognitive dysfunction interfering with everyday life, general well-being, and sense of existential value. Methods A mixed method study assessed 13 adult patients with advanced cancer with validated neuropsychological tests, which assessed sustained attention, psychomotor speed, memory/attention, mental flexibility, and a measure of global cognitive function. These were followed by semi-structured interviews focusing on subjective experiences of cognitive dysfunction. Agreement between subjective and objective measures were analysed by Cohen's Kappa (k). Thematic analysis explored associations with cognitive deficits. Results Poor cognitive performance on the neuropsychological tests was observed regarding sustained attention (n = 8), psychomotor speed (n = 1), memory/attention (n = 2), mental flexibility (n = 9), and global cognitive function (n = 3). Almost all patients (n = 12) had complaints of cognitive dysfunction. However, the agreement between the two assessments was weak (k

AB - Purpose Patients with advanced cancer often experience cognitive dysfunction, which may influence decision making, self-perception, and existential well-being. However, there is little evidence regarding this issue. This study analysed associations between objective neuropsychological measures and patients' self-report of cognitive dysfunction interfering with everyday life, general well-being, and sense of existential value. Methods A mixed method study assessed 13 adult patients with advanced cancer with validated neuropsychological tests, which assessed sustained attention, psychomotor speed, memory/attention, mental flexibility, and a measure of global cognitive function. These were followed by semi-structured interviews focusing on subjective experiences of cognitive dysfunction. Agreement between subjective and objective measures were analysed by Cohen's Kappa (k). Thematic analysis explored associations with cognitive deficits. Results Poor cognitive performance on the neuropsychological tests was observed regarding sustained attention (n = 8), psychomotor speed (n = 1), memory/attention (n = 2), mental flexibility (n = 9), and global cognitive function (n = 3). Almost all patients (n = 12) had complaints of cognitive dysfunction. However, the agreement between the two assessments was weak (k

KW - Cognitive dysfunction

KW - Neuropsychological tests

KW - Patient-reported outcome measures

KW - Neoplasms

KW - Existential well-being

KW - Qualitative research

KW - CONTINUOUS REACTION-TIMES

KW - PALLIATIVE CARE

KW - IMPAIRMENT

KW - CHEMOTHERAPY

KW - ABILITY

KW - HELP

U2 - 10.1007/s00520-021-06777-7

DO - 10.1007/s00520-021-06777-7

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35029771

VL - 30

SP - 3603

EP - 3612

JO - Supportive Care in Cancer

JF - Supportive Care in Cancer

SN - 0941-4355

ER -