CHEMOBRAIN: Cognitive Deficits and Quality of Life in Chemotherapy Patients — Preliminary Assessment and Proposal for an Early Intervention Model

Chemotherapy can cause cognitive decline, known as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), affecting memory, a>ention, processing speed, and executive functions. This research was conducted to be>er understand how cognitive difficulties appear during the first weeks of chemotherapy and how they impact daily life. Forty patients aged 18–64 completed a questionnaire (FACT-Cog v.3) at the start of treatment and during the following two months to report their own experiences with memory, a>ention, and mental clarity. We observed a gradual decline in how patients perceived their cognitive function ing, which was closely linked to a worsening quality of life. Importantly, these early self reported changes were able to predict later declines.