Multimodal Web-Based Intervention for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Patients: Cog-Stim Feasibility Study Protocol

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Cognitive difficulties and their impact on patients’ quality of life are frequently reported by patients treated for breast cancer, who ask for support to improve these difficulties. Cognitive stimulation and physical activity resulted as beneficial for cognitive difficulties, but they are challenging to generalize in hospitals. To overcome this limitation, home-based computerized interventions have been proposed. In this study, the feasibility of a combined intervention of web-based cognitive stimulation and physical activity among breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy will be investigated. The overall goal is to develop interventions for cognitive difficulties adapted to supportive care units. ABSTRACT: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a frequent side-effect of cancer treatment, with important consequences on patients’ quality of life. Cognitive stimulation and physical activity are the most efficient in improving cognitive impairment, but they are challenging to generalize in hospitals’ routine and to patients’ needs and schedules. Moreover, the added value of a combination of these interventions needs to be more investigated. The Cog-Stim study is an interventional study investigating the feasibility of a web-based multimodal intervention (combining cognitive stimulation and physical activity for the improvement of cognitive complaints among breast-cancer patients currently treated with radiotherapy (n = 20). Patients will take part in a 12-week program, proposing two sessions per week of web-based cognitive stimulation (20 min/session with HappyNeuron(®)) and two sessions per week of web-based physical activity (30 min/session with Mooven(®) platform). Cognitive complaints (FACT-Cog) and objective cognitive functioning (CNS Vital Signs(®)), anxiety, depression (HADS), sleep disorders (ISI) and fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) will be assessed before and after the intervention. The primary endpoint is the adherence rate to the intervention program. Patients’ satisfaction, reasons for non-attrition and non-adherence to the program will also be assessed. The overall goal of this study is to collect information to develop web-based interventions for cognitive difficulties in supportive care units.