Evaluation of the functional assessment of cancer therapy cognitive scale with hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Jan;33(1):13-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2006.06.011.

Abstract

The current study evaluated a newly developed self-report measure of cognitive complaints with cancer patients, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognitive Scale (FACT-Cog). Six or 12 months following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, participants completed a psychosocial assessment that included the FACT-Cog and a neuropsychological assessment. Using a criterion of two or more times a week, an average of 12 of a total of 50 items were endorsed as complaints on the FACT-Cog. FACT-Cog total, domain, and subscale scores were significantly correlated with measures of depression, fatigue, anxiety, and physical and mental well-being. FACT-Cog scores, with the exception of one subscale, Other People Noticed Deficits, were not significantly correlated with cognitive performance. In general, the FACT-Cog and a commonly used measure of cognitive complaints (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 Cognitive Functioning Scale) demonstrated similar psychometric properties. However, the FACT-Cog assesses broader aspects of cognitive complaints, thereby providing greater information about the types of cognitive complaints patients are experiencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Psychological Tests*
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life