The word
"chemobrain" has circulated for years, often slightly below the
radar: something that has been touted, denied, argued about, and you name it.
It is now pretty well accepted, however, that perhaps 75% of cancer
survivors may experience “foggier” thinking as an outcome of cancer and
chemotherapy treatment. Although scientists are divided on the exact
cause of chemobrain, it can be a difficult and limiting residue of cancer
treatment. But what to do about it? An independent peer-reviewed
study has found that breast
cancer survivors who used a set of Posit Science's visual brain training
exercises available as part of BrainHQ showed significant improvements in
memory, brain speed, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of
life--post surgery and chemo. Avoid discounting the recommendations simply
because the study used brain training exercises that were part of the BrainHQ
programs. There are other options available (Lumosity.com for example) to
investigate. The bottom line is to get serious about doing challenging mental
aerobic brain exercises for at least 30 minutes a day. More tomorrow.
Disclaimer: The
authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Posit Science
Corporation is the developer of the speed of processing (Insight®) program
used in this study. Posit Science Corporation holds the patent for and a
proprietary interest in this software. The software was provided at cost of the
CD by Posit Science. Dr. Karlene Ball is on the Board of Directors of Posit
Science and has stock in the company. Dr. Unverzagt has received support for
training for an investigator initiated research from Posit Science.
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