Have you had chemotherapy and noticed difficulties with your memory? 

Studies have suggested that cancer and chemotherapy treatment may change the way the brain functions.

As a result, patients who receive cancer treatment may experience problems with their attention, learning, and memory that they did not have before.

The purpose of this study is to test how well adults with Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI or “chemo brain”) can complete a computerized program designed to improve certain types of “thinking” skills that are important for daily life functioning. This intervention has been shown to improve both cognitive skills and mood in older adults with depression, and our hope is that it will have similar positive effects in those experiencing chemo brain.  We are also interested in whether improvements in cognition and mood in CRCI patients predict better functioning over longer periods of time. 

This research is being done because there are few, if any, interventions shown to be effective in improving thinking and functioning in patients with attention and memory problems related to cancer treatment. This leaves them vulnerable to loss of independence and functioning, and to developing depressive symptoms.

The development of new, non-invasive interventions that may improve these cognitive deficits may improve functioning and depressive symptoms in this population.  We are also interested in whether any benefit from this intervention is sustained over longer periods of time.   

The primary question this study aims to answer is…

To determine if a computerized brain games program can help improve certain types of “thinking” skills in breast cancer survivors who have had chemotherapy and have noticed difficulties with attention, learning, and memory. 

Participants in a research study:

Are between the ages of 35 – 80, had chemotherapy for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lymphoma, or colon cancer in the past 1-8 years, and have noticed difficulties with their attention, learning, and memory.

This is a 6-week study that involves three study visits (screening, pre-intervention, and post-intervention), each approximately 1.5-2 hours long, and 6 weeks of computer-based intervention (6-8 hours per week, conducted over Zoom).

Are randomly assigned (50/50 chance, like the flip of a coin) to receive one of two active interventions: 

  1. One is targeted to specific cognitive function that we think are related to CRCI (active intervention)

  2. One that is more general stimulation (control intervention)

Interested in participating
or learning more?

Taking part in this research is voluntary and completely up to you. You are free to say no or to leave the research at any time. There will be no penalties or changes in the quality of the health care you receive, and you will not lose any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

  • You’re uncomfortable with

    • The fact that neither you nor your doctor will get to pick which group you are in

    • Sharing your private information with researchers

    • Blood draws

  • The risks of this study are minimal. We will take steps to protect your personal information. However, there is a risk of breach of confidentiality.

    There may also be risks that we do not know yet.

  • We cannot promise any direct benefit for taking part in this study. However, during this study you will receive a computerized intervention program designed to improve mood and cognitive functioning. It is possible that you will notice an improvement in your thinking abilities. You will have regular visits with the research team who will assess your mood and overall functioning.

  • There is currently no standard of care for CRCI. Your alternative is to not take part in the research.