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Short‐term effects of radiotherapy on attention and memory performances in patients with brain tumors
Author(s) -
Lilja Arja M.,
Portin Raija I.,
Hämäläinen Päivi I.,
Salminen Eeva K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(20010615)91:12<2361::aid-cncr1269>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , vigilance (psychology) , recall , cognition , audiology , verbal learning , verbal memory , surgery , psychology , psychiatry , neuroscience , cognitive psychology
BACKGROUND The objective of the current study was to evaluate the short‐term effects of radiotherapy on attention and memory performance in patients with brain tumors. METHODS Thirteen patients underwent a neuropsychologic examination on three occasions: at baseline before radiotherapy, which lasted for 6 weeks; within 2 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy; and 3 months after the completion of radiotherapy. Thirty healthy individuals were studied at baseline as a control group. Verbal, visuomotor, and memory tests were administered. Attentional performances were examined using CogniSpeed© reaction time software. RESULTS At baseline, the patients scored significantly lower than the controls in tests of semantic memory (Similarities; P = 0.002), visuoconstructive skill (Block Design; P = 0.028), and visual and verbal memory (recall of 20 objects: immediate, P = 0.017; delayed, P = 0.002; recall of 30 paired word associates: immediate, P = 0.002; delayed, P = 0.005). The patients performed significantly more poorly than the control group on the Two‐Choice Reaction Time test ( P = 0.047), the Subtraction test ( P = 0.042), and the Vigilance test ( P = 0.023). After radiotherapy, the performance of the patients did not worsen on any measure, whereas their conscious cognitive processing was improved ( P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Treatment with radiotherapy did not cause negative short‐term effects on attentional and memory functions in patients with brain tumors who received a radiation dose of 54.5 grays. The cognitive deficits found in these patients were evident at baseline before radiotherapy. Thus, it seems likely that the deficits were associated with the tumor itself and/or the surgical procedures. Cancer 2001;91:2361–8. © 2001 American Cancer Society.