Asian Oncol Nurs.  2022 Mar;22(1):1-10. 10.5388/aon.2022.22.1.1.

The Experience of Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Cancer

• Oh PJ
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2528111
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2022.22.1.1

Abstract

Purpose
This study was conducted to explore the experiences of adult cancer patients living with Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI).
Methods
Data were collected by using in-depth and audio-recorded interviews with seven patients of colorectal, stomach, and breast cancer. The participants were asked to describe their CRCI experience. The data were analyzed according to Colaizzi’s method for phenomenological analysis.
Results
Three-theme clusters and six themes emerged: (1) Foggy daily life: brain health impairment; “I feel different from my usual self: cognitive impairment,” “Lost daily activities: work-related tasks affected,” (2) Struggle to retain memories; “Tried using all strategies I could to recall my memories,” “Need for concern and therapeutic communication,” (3) Expectation of a whole body: hope to live; “Expectations for cognitive rehabilitation,” “Reorganizing daily life.”
Conclusion
These results showed that patients did not consider CRCI important until symptoms affected daily activities and workrelated tasks and tried to use self-management strategies to manage CRCI. A two-way exchange of information between patients and health professionals can help patients understand and prepare for CRCI in dealing with symptoms.

Keyword

Chemotherapy; Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment; Qualitative research