Processing Speed a Key Indicator of Cognitive Function in Patients With Cancer

Patient processing speed is a critical indicator of cognitive function in cancer care and deserves close monitoring and the initiation of appropriate interventions, according to a study published in Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 

To develop an understanding of processing speed as an indicator of cognitive function, researchers conducted a concept analysis of several journal articles. These studies included patients with brain tumors and other types of cancer. In these studies, processing speed was characterized as the ability to process information, react, and make decisions. 

Researchers identified 697 articles through database screening, of which 19 were eligible for analysis. The population, design, terms and definitions, and measurement of processing speed were assessed.

In the concept analysis, a number of antecedents were associated with poor processing speeds in patients with cancer, including old age, a decline in fine motor function, and a deterioration in brain connectivity. Certain therapies that are utilized in cancer management, such as radiation therapy for brain cancer and endocrine therapy for breast cancer, also acted as antecedents that negatively influenced patient processing speeds. 

“We derived the definition of processing speed as the proficiency and speed to recognize sensory stimuli, make decisions based on recognition, and implement the decision with movements, coordinating cognitive and responsive skills to respond to stimuli in a timely manner.”

Researchers identified cognitive capability as the primary consequence of processing speed. Other consequences included psychological well-being; adaptive functioning; work capacity; occupational status; reading skill; intelligence; and behavioral, social, and emotional competencies.

“The findings highlight the need to update clinical nursing practices with refined tools to evaluate processing speed,” the study authors concluded, “enabling oncology nurses to implement targeted interventions that address cancer-related cognitive decline and enhance health outcomes of patients with cancer.”

Disclosure: Some study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.

This article originally appeared on Oncology Nurse Advisor