A pilot study at the university saw five participants aged between 30 and 57 attend six weekly group meetings online, each one personalised to each survivor and consisting of tests on their brain activity. The results of the therapy, named CRAFT-G (Cognitive Retraining and Functional Treatment – Group version), were “promising”, according to the researchers.
“Participants not only reported clinically meaningful improvements in daily performance, but assessments also showed significant gains in their ability to carry out everyday tasks such as managing home responsibilities or organising work demands,” they said.
“Cancer survivors often tell us they feel like they’ve ‘lost’ parts of themselves after treatment,” said Professor Yafit Gilboa, who led the study.
“Our goal was to offer a practical, compassionate, and accessible way to help them regain control, to show them that their cognitive challenges are real, understandable, and, importantly, treatable.”
CRAFT-G is “a feasible, accessible, and potentially effective option for cancer survivors living with cognitive changes,” the study concluded.
A larger study is now underway to examine the effectiveness of the intervention among a broader group of breast cancer survivors.