The National Institute of Health (NIH)/National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded a five-year $2,766,520 R01 grant to fund the study titled, “Cognitive Training for Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment: A Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.” The grant was awarded to Diane Von Ah, PhD, RN, FAAN, Distinguished Professor of Cancer Research and Director of Cancer Research in the Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management and Complex Care at The Ohio State College of Nursing. Co-investigators include Patricia Ganz, MD (MPI), University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center; Brenna McDonald, MBA, PsyD, ABPP-CN (MPI), Indiana University School of Medicine and Hanna Bandos, PhD, NRG Statistics and Data Management Center.
The study, which is the first national-scale test, focuses on a computerized cognitive training program against a computerized active attention control program. It will be conducted in collaboration with the NCI’s National Community Oncology Research Program at their national clinical trials network sites. The results will be used to improve self-reported and objective cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors with cancer and Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI). Findings from this study will provide evidence to guide clinicians’ recommendations and survivors’ treatment selections for managing this prevalent, persistent, disruptive and often debilitating problem.
“This is such an incredibly important clinical problem that has been given relatively little attention,” said Von Ah, who also serves as co-director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center through the Wexner Medical Center’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. “With this funding, we will be able to build upon my previous research to test this intervention and if found to be efficacious, it will provide hope and options to millions of breast cancer survivors suffering from cognitive concerns.”
Cognitive complaints are a common side effect linked to cancer treatment. According to Von Ah, 75% of breast cancer survivors express cognitive concerns resulting from treatment that can impair recovery, work ability and quality of life for survivors. Von Ah said interventional research for this issue is limited and there are no definitive evidence-based guidelines to address CRCI.
“It is an honor to work with other amazing expert clinicians and researchers across the United States that are dedicated to improving the lives of breast cancer survivors with CRCI,” said Von Ah.
