Confirming the Association Between Affective Disturbance and Perceived Cognitive Dysfunction Among Breast Cancer Patients: A Meta-analysis of Available Literature
Date of Award
Summer 8-24-2013
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Kimberly Gorgens
Second Advisor
Ragnar Storaasli
Third Advisor
Marybeth Lehto
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Keywords
Breast cancer, Qualitative research, Assessment, Affective disturbance, Perceived cognitive dysfunction, Meta-analysis
Abstract
Purpose: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. While undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, patients often report experiencing "chemobrain." Previous literature reports correlations between psychological distress and these perceived cognitive problems. The aim of the present study was to examine the strength of the association between affective disturbance and subjective cognitive dysfunction.
Methods: This study included a meta-analysis of the literature reporting a correlation between mood and subjective cognitive dysfunction. Eight studies with 1344 breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy were selected based on stringent study inclusion criteria. Studies reporting a correlation coefficient between mood and subjective cognitive dysfunction were included.
Results: In these data, there was no significant correlation between affective disturbance and subjective cognitive dysfunction. A random effects model yielded an overall weighted mean effect size of 0.12.
Conclusion: Although this meta-analysis did not confirm the correlation between mood and subjective cognitive dysfunction, there was a clear association between these factors in the original disaggregated analyses, and they are clearly impactful from the time of diagnosis through long-term after care. The clinical implications of the present study and future directions for research are discussed.
Copyright Date
7-11-2013
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Rights Holder
Robin Garrett
Provenance
Received from Author
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
30 pgs
Recommended Citation
Garrett, Robin, "Confirming the Association Between Affective Disturbance and Perceived Cognitive Dysfunction Among Breast Cancer Patients: A Meta-analysis of Available Literature" (2013). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 78.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/78