Speed of Processing in Middle Aged and Older Breast Cancer Survivors (SOAR) Study: Preliminary Results

Authors:

Jennifer Bail (Presenter)
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Jacqueline Vo, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Rachel Benz, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Karen Meneses, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Public Health Statement: Cancer and treatment-related cognitive changes among breast cancer survivors (BCS) persist. Combined with aging, these changes may be troubling. Speed of Processing (SOP) training has been shown to be effective in remediating and preventing cognitive decline in healthy older adults. In the Speed of Processing in Middle Aged and Older Breast Cancer Survivors (SOAR) study, the feasibility of a web-based SOP training intervention is being examined among BCS.

Purpose: To report changes in SOP between baseline and immediately post-intervention among SOAR participants.

Methods/Approach: Using a controlled trial design, participants were randomly assigned to either a web-based SOP training intervention group (n=30) or a no contact control group (n=30). Intervention consisted of 2 hours of SOP training per week for a total of 10 hours within 6–8 weeks. SOP was measured using the Useful Field of View (UFOV) test (score range: 68–2,000; with lower score indicative of faster SOP). Data analyses, t-tests and effect sizes, were conducted using SPSS.

Results: Sixty BCS enrolled (M_age=55; African-American=31; Caucasian=29). Baseline SOP for the intervention and control groups were comparable (661 vs 640, p=0.8). At immediately post-intervention, BCS in the intervention group demonstrated a greater improvement in SOP than controls (-209 vs -93, p=0.04, d =0.58). Both African-American and Caucasian BCS in the intervention group experienced similar improvement in SOP (-246 vs -168, p=0.4, d= 0.33).

Conclusions/Implications: Consistent with the literature in healthy older adults, SOP training improved SOP among BCS. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess long-term effects of SOP among BCS.