Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Web-based cognitive rehabilitation for patients with aggressive lymphoma with perceived cognitive impairment: a randomised pilot study (142594)

Priscilla Gates 1 2 , Jade Guarnera 1 , Karla Gough 3 , Haryana Dhillon 4 , Heather Green 5 , Michael Dickinson 6 , Janette Vardy 7 , Tracey Dryden 6 , Trish Livingston 8 , Juan Dominguez Duque 1 , Karen Caeyenberghs 1
  1. Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
  2. Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Centre for Medical Psychology& Evidence-based Decision-Making, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  5. The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  6. Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  7. Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation and General Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  8. Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Aim: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a frequent side effect of cancer and its treatment that can persist well after treatment completion, with major impacts on quality of life, daily living activities, and return to work. This randomised pilot study assesses the feasibility of a web-based cognitive rehabilitation program-‘Responding to Cognitive Concerns’ (eReCog)—in people with low perceived cognitive function after chemotherapy for aggressive lymphoma within the past five years and were in remission. Potential efficacy was also explored.

Method: Participants were randomised one-to-one to receive usual care or eReCog plus usual care. The four-week eReCog program consists of four online modules based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy. Operational, neuropsychological test and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data were collected before randomisation and approximately eight weeks later to assess trial outcomes. Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention rates. Feasibility data were summarised using a rate or proportion, as appropriate, with 95% confidence intervals. Neuropsychological test and PROMs data were analysed using analysis of covariance.

Results: 38 of 53 eligible participants consented to participate over 10 months (3.8 patients/month, 95% CI [2.7, 5.2]), 19 were randomised to each arm, and 36 of 38 (95%, 95% CI [83, 99]) completed the trial, indicating acceptable feasibility. Acceptable feasibility was also found for all four secondary outcomes: adherence to, usability of, and intrinsic motivation to engage with eReCog; and compliance with assessments. A large-sized difference favouring the intervention arm was observed on the SCWT Word score measuring processing speed. Medium-sized differences were observed on other neuropsychological test and PROM scales, but confidence intervals were wide and included zero.

Conclusion: Recruitment and retention rates, compliance with assessments and favourable changes on potential outcome measures suggest a large-scale, appropriately powered trial is warranted, as do findings that eReCog is acceptable to the study population.