A remote cognitive rehabilitation programme may help cancer survivors manage “chemobrain” and improve daily functioning, according to new feasibility research.
Chemobrain, clinically referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment, affects up to 80% of cancer survivors. Symptoms can include problems with memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function, often persisting long after treatment ends and interfering with work, relationships, and everyday tasks.
The new study, published in Supportive Care in Cancer, examined CRAFT G, a remote group intervention designed for adults experiencing cancer related cognitive impairment. The programme combines cognitive training, psychoeducation, and occupational therapy based strategies, delivered entirely online.
Five adults aged between 30 and 57 took part in six weekly remote group sessions and completed personalised digital cognitive training activities. While improvements on objective cognitive tests were modest, a pattern commonly reported in chemobrain research, most participants reported improvements in their perceived cognitive functioning.
Participants also showed meaningful gains in physical quality of life, particularly in their ability to manage everyday responsibilities such as household tasks and work organisation. Many reported feeling better understood, supported, and empowered through the group based format.
CRAFT G builds on earlier work evaluating an individual version of the programme known as CRAFT. That earlier research combined remote computerised cognitive training with occupation based strategies and showed potential benefits in daily participation and subjective cognition.
The group format extends this approach by adding structured psychoeducation and peer support, while maintaining full remote delivery to improve accessibility. High retention rates and positive participant feedback suggested that taking part from home helped reduce disruption to daily routines.
“Cancer survivors often tell us they feel like they’ve ‘lost’ parts of themselves after treatment,” said Yafit Gilboa, from the HU School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine.
“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. Seeing participants improve in the activities that matter most to them is exactly why we do this work.”
The researchers concluded that CRAFT G is a feasible and accessible intervention with potential benefits for cancer survivors experiencing cognitive changes. They recommended larger trials to confirm its effectiveness.
A larger controlled study is already underway to assess the intervention among a broader group of breast cancer survivors. Researchers note that while objective cognitive changes can be subtle and variable, perceived impairments often have the greatest impact on quality of life. Interventions that focus on functional outcomes and self efficacy may therefore be particularly valuable.
As cancer survival rates continue to improve, addressing long term effects such as chemobrain is becoming increasingly important. Remote group based approaches could widen access to support, especially for survivors with mobility limitations or those living in rural areas.
