title: A randomized trial of videoconference-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for survivors of breast cancer with self-reported cognitive dysfunction.
abstract: Long-term chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) affects a large number of cancer survivors. To the authors' knowledge, to date there is no established treatment for this survivorship problem. The authors herein report results of a small randomized controlled trial of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT), compared with an attention control condition. Both treatments were delivered over a videoconference device.
  
  
  
  A total of 47 survivors of female breast cancer who reported CRCD were randomized to MAAT or supportive therapy and were assessed at baseline, after treatment, and at 2 months of follow-up. Participants completed self-report measures of cognitive symptoms and quality of life and a brief telephone-based neuropsychological assessment.
  
  
  
  MAAT participants made gains in perceived (self-reported) cognitive impairments (P = .02), and neuropsychological processing speed (P = .03) compared with supportive therapy controls. A large MAAT effect size was observed at the 2-month follow-up with regard to anxiety concerning cognitive problems (Cohen's d for standard differences in effect sizes, 0.90) with medium effects noted in general function, fatigue, and anxiety. Survivors rated MAAT and videoconference delivery with high satisfaction.
  
  
  
  MAAT may be an efficacious psychological treatment of CRCD that can be delivered through videoconference technology. This research is important because it helps to identify a treatment option for survivors that also may improve access to survivorship services. Cancer 2016;122:1782-91. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center and Lafayette Family Cancer Center, Bangor, Maine.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, Maine.
authors.forename: Sandra T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sigmon
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center and Lafayette Family Cancer Center, Bangor, Maine.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pritchard
authors.affiliation: Center For Research and Evaluation, Department of Education and Human Development, University of Maine, Orono, Maine.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: LaBrie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, Maine.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Goetze
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center and Lafayette Family Cancer Center, Bangor, Maine.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center and Lafayette Family Cancer Center, Bangor, Maine.
authors.forename: A Merrill
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Garrett
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D049269:Videoconferencing
keywords: breast cancer; chemotherapy; cognitive behavioral therapy; cognitive dysfunction; survivorship