title: Chemotherapy-related cognitive change: a principle-based concept analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the results of a principle-based concept analysis of cognitive change in patients with cancer following chemotherapy treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  86 English-language articles retrieved through OVID, PubMed, CINAHL®, and Web of Knowledge searches through June 2010. No time limits were imposed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis was based on the philosophical principles: epistemologic, pragmatic, linguistic, and logical. Conceptual components were identified and a theoretical definition of chemotherapy-related cognitive change emerged; the term was not clearly defined or well differentiated in the scientific literature. Implicit meanings are found in patients' subjective accounts, descriptions of the cognitive domains studied, and the choice of neuropsychological assessment instruments. Antecedents relative to chemotherapy-related cognitive change include disease and treatment factors. Moderators may include anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Consequences or outcomes of the experience of chemotherapy-related cognitive change include adjustment to illness, impact on quality of life, and potential for emotional distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The principle-based concept analysis generated conceptual insights about chemotherapy-related cognitive change that are based on sound scientific evidence. The product of this method of analysis is a theoretical definition that reflects the state of the science.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When the impact of cognitive change following chemotherapy is better understood, meaningful and timely interventions can be developed to improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, PA, USA. mkanaskie@hmc.psu.edu
authors.forename: Mary Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kanaskie
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D009742:Nursing Theory; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents