Perceived Cognitive Changes with Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study

Authors

Linda B. Piacentine, Marquette UniversityFollow
Judith Fitzgerald, University of Missouri
Sara Haberlein, Marquette UniversityFollow
Alan S. Bloom, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

3 p.

Publication Date

2-2016

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Applied Nursing Research

Source ISSN

0897-1897

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine perceived cognitive functioning, fatigue, depression and general well-being among women before and after the initiation of chemotherapy for breast cancer compared to a sample of healthy women.

Method

This descriptive, repeated measures study compared women receiving chemotherapy and healthy women. Women completed measures of quality of life, fatigue, cognitive changes and depression.

Results

Before chemotherapy, women with cancer reported more fatigue and depression than healthy women. After chemotherapy, women with cancer reported decreased cognitive functioning accompanied by more fatigue and depressive symptoms than healthy women.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first to use multiple symptom measures before and after starting chemotherapy. Understanding cognitive changes and related symptoms that occur before and during chemotherapy for breast cancer is the first step toward helping women cope with changes that occur with breast cancer treatment.

Comments

Accepted version. Applied Nursing Research, Vol. 29 (February 2016): 9-11. DOI. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Piacentine, Linda B.; Fitzgerald, Judith; Haberlein, Sara; and Bloom, Alan S., "Perceived Cognitive Changes with Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study" (2016). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 441.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/441