title: A feasibility study of group cognitive rehabilitation for cancer survivors: enhancing cognitive function and quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research aimed to address the gap in evidence-based treatment available for cancer survivors who are experiencing cognitive dysfunction, through piloting a novel treatment intervention. The overall research question was whether a group cognitive rehabilitation intervention would be feasible for improving cognitive function and quality of life for people who have completed cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three groups of adults were recruited as follows: an intervention group of 23 cancer survivors who completed a 4-week group cognitive rehabilitation treatment, a comparison group of nine cancer survivors, and a community sample of 23 adults who had never experienced cancer. Measures of objective and subjective cognitive function, quality of life, psychosocial distress, and illness perceptions were used. The research design was non-randomised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that the intervention was effective in improving overall cognitive function, visuospatial/constructional performance, immediate memory, and delayed memory beyond practice effects alone. It was helpful in reducing participants' perceptions of cognitive impairment and psychosocial distress, as well as promoting social functioning and understanding of cognition. The improvements were maintained at 3 months after the intervention. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results provided evidence for the feasibility of a brief group-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention to treat cognitive problems experienced by cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Basis of Health Program, Griffith Health Institute and School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schuurs
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*