The impact of mindfulness on cancer-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints

BACKGROUND

Interventions that target cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors are needed. In this study, the potential of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce CRCI in breast cancer survivors, compared with physical training and a wait list control group, was investigated.

METHODS

Breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints (N = 117) were randomly allocated to a mindfulness (n = 43), physical training (n = 36), or wait list control condition (n = 38). Participants completed neuropsychological tests and questionnaires before the intervention, immediately after, and 3 months after intervention. The primary outcome measure was the change in cognitive complaints over time. Secondary outcomes were objective cognitive impairment and psychological well-being. All outcomes were compared between groups over time using linear mixed models, including participants with missing values.

RESULTS

Of the 117 included participants, 96 completed the three assessments. Participants in the three groups reported decreased cognitive complaints after intervention, without group differences. There were no between-group differences in objective cognitive impairment after intervention compared with baseline. Compared with the wait list control group, participants reported increased mindfulness skills and reduced emotional distress after mindfulness and reduced emotional distress and fatigue after physical training.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to the hypothesis, all groups reported an improvement in cognitive complaints over time. It is suggested that priming and acknowledgment of CRCI might alter the experience of cognitive impairment. Additionally, both mindfulness-based intervention and physical training can improve psychological well-being of breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints.

Effect of Obesity on Cognitive Functions in Elderly People

Aim: We aimed to evaluate effect of obesity on cognitive functions in 65 years and older patients. Methods: This study was conducted in the Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Family Medicine outpatient clinic between November 2018 and January 2019. 65 years and older 83 voluntary patients were included in our study. All participants evaluated by a survey for their socio-demographic characteristics, Standardized Mini Mental Examination Test and Rey Auditory and Verbal Learning Test. Statistical comparison was made between patients’ body mass indexes and their test scores. Results: Mini Mental Test total score was statistically higher in men. Besides that, working patients had higher Mini Mental Test total score compared to retired patients and housewives. As participants’ waist circumference and body mass index increase, their Mini Mental Test language scores were decreasing. Conclusions: We found that as body mass index increases, Mini Mental Test language scores were significantly decreasing. In literature there are studies that suggesting obesity is related to decline in cognitive functions, but there are also studies that suggesting obesity has protective effect for cognitive decline. More comprehensive prospective studies are required for clearer results. Keywords: geriatrics, obesity, cognitive dysfunction