Date of Award

2008

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Nursing

Keywords

Health and environmental sciences, Psychology

Supervisor

Debbie Kane

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This study associated chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment with Psychosocial Adjustment and Quality of Life (QOL) in seventy-four colorectal cancer patients. Assessments included the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale - Self Report Version (PAIS-SR), and Functional Assessment to Cancer Therapy - General Version (FACT-G). The sample consisted of 4 groups: A & C (stage III/high-risk II), with A assessed pre-chemotherapy and C post-chemotherapy; and groups B & D (stage I/II) who did not require chemotherapy, with B assessed post-operatively and D 6-months post-operatively. A statistically insignificant negative association was found between CANTAB and PAIS-SR results. The association between PAIS-SR and FACT-G was also negative, was highly significant, and indicates that as psychosocial adjustment improves, so does QOL. This study suggests that cognitive changes do not influence patients' relationships and functional roles, which are strongly associated with QOL.

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