The primary purpose of this study is to test the effects of a targeted, computerized cognitive training program on verbal memory in older women who have undergone chemotherapy treatment for early-stage breast cancer. As measured by neuropsychological assessment, this treatment will result in improved verbal memory. Secondarily, processing speed and naming abilities are expected to improve. Enhanced self-perception of cognitive ability is also expected.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
45
Participants will engage in auditory and verbal memory exercises intended to improve verbal memory functioning. The exercises are: Elephant Memory, Words where are you?, Split words, Bird Songs, Sound check, and You've got voicemail. Participants will complete the exercises 1 hour per day, 6 days per week, for 6 weeks. The program automatically adjusts difficulty level according to individual performance. The program captures and reports all relevant data to the primary investigator, including accuracy and reaction time (speed), which will be used to measure progress.
Verbal Memory
Immediate and delayed verbal memory
Time frame: Change in Verbal Memory scores from Pretreatment/Baseline to Posttreatment/6 weeks, from Posttreatment/6 weeks to 1 month followup/10 weeks, and from Pretreatment/Baseline to 1 month followup/10 weeks.
Processing Speed measured via Lexical Decision Task
The Lexical Decision Task is a computerized task that measures processing speed by calculating reaction times to verb and non-verb stimuli. Outcome is measured by reaction time in milliseconds.
Time frame: Change in Processing Speed scores from Pretreatment/Baseline to Posttreatment/6 weeks, from Posttreatment/6 weeks to 1 month followup/10 weeks, and from Pretreatment/Baseline to 1 month followup/10 weeks
Processing Speed measured via Stroop Color-Word Test
The Stroop Color-Word task is a paper and pencil task that measures processing speed by assessing correct number of words read, correct number of color names read, and correct number of color-word interference pairs (i.e., names of colors printed in non-matching ink colors) read in 45 seconds. Outcomes are measured in raw scores and associated T-scores referenced against sex+age normative groups. The Stroop Color-Word Test scores will not be aggregated with the Lexical Decision Task scores.
Time frame: Change in Processing Speed scores from Pretreatment/Baseline to Posttreatment/6 weeks, from Posttreatment/6 weeks to 1 month followup/10 weeks, and from Pretreatment/Baseline to 1 month followup/10 weeks
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