Chemo Brain (Cancer therapy)
Common cancer treatments can affect the mental health of the patient. Doctors call it cancer treatment-related cognitive impairment, cancer-related cognitive change, or post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment (PCCI), but to many patients, it goes by “chemo brain.” It’s a mental “fog” that affects their overall cognitive function, and it’s a result of the treatment for cancer. One expert said it can affect as many as 75% of those undergoing chemotherapy.
Chemo brain is characterized by a decrease in mental acuity, with many patients highlighting their inability to remember things, finish certain tasks, concentrate, or learn new skills. These mental changes can make the patient unable to handle their usual activities in work, school, or at social activities.
Research On NeurOptimal For Chemo Brain
Doctors have observed PCCI in many breast cancer survivors. One study, “The Effect of EEG Biofeedback on Reducing Postcancer Cognitive Impairment,” examined neurofeedback’s potential effectiveness in reducing PCCI, as well as fatigue, sleep disturbance, and psychological symptoms that accompany it.
Cancer treatment can create cognitive issues often referred to as “chemobrain” or “chemofog.” One study, “Efficacy of EEG Biofeedback in Addressing Cognitive Dysfunction in Cancer Survivors,” found improvement in “cognitive functioning, fatigue, and psychological symptoms of somatization and depression.”