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The role of neuropsychological functioning in cancer survivors' return to work one year after diagnosis
Author(s) -
Nieuwenhuijsen Karen,
de Boer Angela,
Spelten Evelien,
Sprangers Mirjam A.G.,
Verbeek Jos H. A. M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1439
Subject(s) - neuropsychology , psychology , work (physics) , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , cognition , mechanical engineering , engineering
Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between neuropsychological functioning and the ability to work in cancer survivors. Methods : The study involved a consecutive cohort of 45 patients who had received a primary diagnosis of cancer, were gainfully employed at baseline, and had been treated with curative intent. Twelve months after the first day of sick leave, they underwent a neuropsychological assessment that included executive function and verbal memory tests. Other clinical, person‐related, and work‐related factors were also assessed by questionnaire at this time. Ability to work was measured as perceived workability (0–10) and work status at 12 months of sick leave. Results : Fifteen participants (33%) showed neuropsychological impairments covering various domains. The mean workability score of cancer survivors with neuropsychological impairment was 4.9, whereas those without impairments had a mean score of 6.0 (raw β = −0.19: 95% CI = −2.9 to 0.7; adjusted β = −0.15; 95% CI = −2.5 to 0.8). More cancer survivors with neuropsychological impairments (7/15, 47%) than without (9/30, 30%) had not yet returned to work (raw OR 0.5: 95% CI: 0.1–1.8; adjusted OR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.1–2.1). Conclusions : To date, this is the largest study to assess neuropsychological functioning objectively in combination with perceived workability and work status. Impaired neuropsychological functioning was found in one‐third of the cancer survivors and was related to a lower vocational functioning, but the relationship was not statistically significant. More research is needed to test the relevance of neuropsychological impairments for vocational functioning. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.