Study Investigates Effectiveness of Cognitive Training Program on Chemo Brain

By Ellyn Micco, LBBC Staff

A new study will gather preliminary data on how well a computer program helps women with breast cancer who have problems with memory or thinking during or after chemotherapy

Trial Starts: 10/9/2006

Sponsored By: Posit Science Corporation

Read more about this research study.

Posit Science, a research corporation, is conducting a small pilot study to evaluate how much a computer-based cognitive training program helps improve memory and language recall and attention span among individuals with breast cancer who are either undergoing or have completed chemotherapy and report cognitive decline.

The goals of this study are to evaluate whether this program, which was originally developed for individuals suffering from age-related memory problems, is also effective in individuals with "chemo brain." It also will study how feasible it is for individuals with chemo brain to use and benefit from this software.

Why is This Trial Important?

Chemotherapy for breast cancer is associated with a number of side effects. Some people report a decline in cognitive function, a condition commonly referred to as "chemo brain." While researchers are still debating whether cognitive decline results from chemotherapy, some studies have shown evidence of cognitive decline in women with breast cancer post-chemotherapy. This cognitive decline has been reported to affect memory, attention and information-processing speed.

The CIMI, or Chemotherapy-Induced Memory Impairment trial, is designed to evaluate a computer-based intervention for its potential to lessen the symptoms of "chemo brain" and potentially to help individuals both recover their cognitive functioning and resume their roles and activities at their pre-cancer level.

Participation and Recruitment

Researchers are seeking 20 participants aged 21 and older who in the past five years have had a diagnosis of breast cancer (any stage) or a recurrence warranting treatment with chemotherapy. You may be able to participate in the CIMI Trial if you:

• have experienced declines from your pre-cancer status in memory, attention or speed of information processing
• are a fluent English speaker
• have a personal computer (PC only) that uses an Operating System of Windows 2000 or XP and has RAM of 256 MB or higher
• are willing to undergo computer-based cognitive training for a minimum of 40 one-hour sessions over a time period not to exceed ten (10) weeks
• agree to take standardized functional and quality of life surveys at times specified by the researchers

You may not be eligible to participate in CIMI if you:

• have severe hearing impairments
• have a history of major neurological illness including but not limited to: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and/or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• have experienced a stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or traumatic brain injury within the past year; or have a lifetime history of stroke, TIA, or traumatic brain injury
• have fibromyalgia or symptoms of tremor severe enough to prevent the use of a computer mouse or other pointing device

If you are eligible and take part in the study, the researchers will send you the software package which you will get to keep. You will be able to participate in the study from your home. If you are interested in the CIMI study, please contact Sarah Kim at the number below or email her at .

For more information, contact: 800.254.1512

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