Rapid Fire Oral Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Changes in perceived cognitive functioning following a codesigned online group cognitive rehabilitation for prostate cancer survivors on androgen deprivation therapy: Series of single-case experimental designs (142892)

Lorna Pembroke 1 , Haryana Dhillon 2 , Kerry Sherman 1 3 , Heather Francis 1 , david gillatt 1 , Howard Gurney 4
  1. Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University & Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), Macquarie University & Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background: Limited treatments exist for prostate cancer survivors (PCS) experiencing cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). We investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of an online group cognitive rehabilitation intervention for PCS on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) experiencing CRCI.

Methods: We used a mixed methods approach with nonconcurrent, multiple baseline single-case experimental design. Adult, English-speaking PCS receiving ADT who self-reported perceived cognitive changes were eligible. Individuals took part in a four-week online group intervention – ‘Promoting Cognitive Wellbeing in Prostate Cancer Survivors’ (ProCog) – comprising weekly two hour group sessions.  Perceived cognitive functioning was measured weekly using FACT-Cog Perceived Cognitive Impairments scale (PCI18). Brief objective cognitive testing, goal attainment scaling, and measures of depression, generalized anxiety, fatigue and self-efficacy were administered at four time-points. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through attendance, homework adherence, and feedback.

Results: In total 11 PCS were eligible and eight participated, median age 68 years (range 58-86). Most participants had locally advanced prostate cancer, were retired, and lived in regional areas.

Feasibility was supported with session attendance and homework completion at ≥97%.  Most participants had mean baseline scores in the poorer cognitive function range. Most (5/8) had clinically significant improvements (≥7.4) on PCI18 post-intervention compared to baseline mean scores.  There were significant improvements in perceived cognitive functioning for half post-group, with very large effect sizes.  No consistent changes were detected on cognitive testing. All participants made progress towards goal attainment post-intervention. Clinically significant improvements were seen in levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Changes in self-efficacy varied.

Conclusions:  ProCog is feasible and acceptable, improving perceived cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and personal goal attainment. However, definitive studies are required to determine its effectiveness.  We are now designing a randomised phase II/III clinical trial to confirm feasibility and efficacy of ProCog in PCS on ADT reporting CRCI.