CanCOG®: Pilot Trial of Cognitive Rehabilitation for Cancer Survivors

Summary

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) affects a large proportion of non-central nervous system cancer survivors and can negatively impact cognitive functioning and daily life. Cognitive rehabilitation has shown promising results in addressing these difficulties. The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the CanCOG®- Cognitive Rehabilitation in Cancer program in Portuguese adult cancer survivors with CRCI.

Adult non-central nervous system cancer survivors (n=60) will be randomly assigned to receive either the CanCOG® intervention or treatment as usual.

CanCOG® is a structured cognitive rehabilitation program designed to help cancer survivors manage cognitive difficulties through cognitive training exercises, psychoeducation, and compensatory strategy training. The program consists of six weekly sessions of 1 hour and 30 minutes each, delivered over six consecutive weeks. Sessions are administered in person in small groups (3-9 participants) and are led by a trained professional.

The main focus of the study is to assess feasibility outcomes, including recruitment, retention, adherence to the intervention, and completion of study assessments, as well as acceptability and participant satisfaction.

The study will also explore preliminary effects of the intervention on cognitive functioning (both perceived and objective), symptoms of anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Participants will complete assessments at baseline (2 weeks after the intervention), 2 weeks after the intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Some participants (10-15) will also take part in interviews to provide feedback on their experience with the program.

Conditions

• Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment
• Cancer-related Cognitive Dysfunction
• Cancer-related Cognitive Difficulties
• Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
• Quality of Life

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

CanCOG® - Cogntive Rehabilitation in Cancer

CanCOG® is a structured cognitive rehabilitation program designed for cancer survivors experiencing cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). The intervention is delivered in person in small groups of 3 to 9 participants by a trained professional and consists of six weekly sessions of 90 minutes each over six consecutive weeks. The program combines psychoeducation about CRCI, cognitive training exercises targeting domains such as attention, memory, and executive functioning, and compensatory strategy training to support everyday cognitive functioning and self-management of cognitive difficulties.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal

  collaborator OTHER

• Aveiro University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-09-30

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2028-05-31

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations