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CLINICAL TRIAL article

Front. Cognit.
Sec. Cognition and Movement
Volume 3 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fcogn.2024.1402873
This article is part of the Research Topic Physical Activity and Cancer-Associated Cognitive Change View all 7 articles

Cognitive Function, Mood and Sleep Changes in Response to a TaiChi/Qigong Intervention among Older Breast Cancer Survivors: An Exploratory Analysis

Provisionally accepted
Dara L. James Dara L. James 1*Molly Maxfield Molly Maxfield 1Seung Yong Han Seung Yong Han 2Nanako A. Hawley Nanako A. Hawley 3Megan E. Petrov Megan E. Petrov 1Dorothy D. Sears Dorothy D. Sears 1David E. Vance David E. Vance 4Linda K. Larkey Linda K. Larkey 1
  • 1 Arizona State University, Tempe, United States
  • 2 Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, United States
  • 3 University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States
  • 4 University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Cognitive decline is a significant, persistent issue among breast cancer survivors (BCSs) affecting more than 50% and greatly impacting health and well-being, particularly among those who are aging. Scalable, lifestyle interventions to mitigate cognitive decline in this population are needed. This study aimed to explore the effects of Tai Chi Easy (TCE) on perceived cognition function among older BCSs. Methods. The current work was part of a larger NCIfunded trial (R01CA182901, primary results reported elsewhere). Female BCSs, aged 45-75 years, were randomized to one of three conditions: two active interventions, Tai Chi Easy (TCE) or sham Qigong (SQG), or an education control group (EDC). In this exploratory analysis of older female participants (aged 60-75y), perceived cognitive function and performance and related factors (including anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptom severity) were examined. We anticipated TCE and SQG would show greater improvements in perceived cognitive function and performance compared to EDC. Results. A total of 75 female BCS were included in the analysis (TCE=23; SQG=22; EDC=30). Linear mixed model results showed BCS randomized to TCE and SQG reported improvements in perceived cognitive impairment and cognition-related effects on quality of life relative to EDC (with small to medium effect sizes; Cohen's d= 0.46 and 0.76), whereas no results were found for cognitive performance measures. Relative to EDC, TCE did not exact changes in depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptom severity; however, SQG showed decreases in depression and insomnia symptom severity (with corresponding small to medium effect sizes, Cohen's d= -0.36 and -0.56). Discussion. Findings from the current exploratory study suggest that low-exertion, gentle exercise, with or without breath and meditative focus, may improve perceived cognitive function, and, that without breath and meditative focus, may improve depressed mood and insomnia symptoms among older BCS. These promising findings may have immediate and long-term implications on accessible treatment options recommended by geriatricians and oncologists treating older BCS at an elevated risk for cognitive impairment.

    Keywords: Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention Changes Effects on cancer, Cognition, physical activity, Well-being, survivorship Trial registration

    Received: 18 Mar 2024; Accepted: 23 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 James, Maxfield, Han, Hawley, Petrov, Sears, Vance and Larkey. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Dara L. James, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.