title: Development of CBT for chemotherapy-related cognitive change: results of a waitlist control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is being developed for management of cognitive dysfunction following chemotherapy among breast cancer survivors. Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) is a brief CBT designed to improve the quality of life and function among cancer survivors with post-chemotherapy cognitive complaints.
  
  
  METHODS
  An initial, two-group (MAAT versus waitlist, no treatment control), randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted. Forty stage I and II female breast cancer survivors (mean age = 50; SD = 6.4) were randomized to conditions and assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks) and 2-month follow-up assessment points on measures of: (1) self-reported daily cognitive failures; (2) quality of life; and (3) neuropsychological performance. Participants were also assessed for satisfaction with MAAT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With education and IQ as covariates, MAAT participants made significant improvements relative to controls on the spiritual well-being subscale of the quality of life measure and on verbal memory, but statistical significance was not achieved on self-report of daily cognitive complaints. However, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed on these outcomes. Participants gave MAAT high satisfaction ratings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this initial RCT is a small study, MAAT participants appear to improve on one measure of quality of life and verbal memory performance relative to no treatment controls and rate MAAT with high satisfaction. These data are encouraging and support the continued development and evaluation of MAAT efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME 04401, USA. rferguson@emh.org
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Brenna C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rocque
authors.forename: Charlotte T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Furstenberg
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horrigan
authors.forename: Tim A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ahles
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Saykin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009513:New Hampshire; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists