Assessing cancer-related cognitive function in the context of everyday life using ecological mobile cognitive testing: A protocol for a prospective quantitative study

Objective: Millions of cancer survivors are at risk for cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), yet accurate and accessible assessments of cognitive functioning remain limited. Ecological mobile cognitive testing (EMCT) could offer a solution. This paper presents the protocol for a study that aims to (1) establish the reliability and validity of EMCT to assess CRCI in breast cancer survivors, and (2) prospectively evaluate within-person processes (and interactions) among context, mood, and behavior that explain cognitive variability, everyday functioning, and quality of life of cancer survivors.

Methods: Participants will include breast cancer survivors (>21 years old) who are within 5 years of completing chemotherapy treatment. Participants will complete two virtual visits (baseline, follow-up) 2 months apart to assess self-reported cognitive symptoms and cognitive performance, sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, everyday functioning, and quality of life. Between virtual visits, EMCT will be used to sample cognitive functioning every other day (28 times total). We will use linear mixed-effect regressions and single-level multiple regression models to analyze the data.

Results: We anticipate a minimum of 124 breast cancer survivors enrolling and completing data collection. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Conclusions: Our findings will have broad implications for assessing CRCI in an ecologically valid and person-centered way using EMCT. We aim to provide this protocol to aid researchers who would like to apply this approach to their studies.