Breast CancerNCT07570251
Evaluation of Cognitive Education Activities in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
A study testing Cognitive Function Training Activities in people with Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy-related Cognitive Impairment, run by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and accounts for approximately 31% of all cancers in women. The global incidence of breast cancer is increasing, making it a significant public health problem. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy-related Cognitive Impairment
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive Function Training Activities
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 108 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 3 Mar 2025to 2 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants were eligible if they met all of the following criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 65 years
- Literate
- Diagnosed with breast cancer
- Had received at least one cycle of chemotherapy and were currently undergoing chemotherapy
- Had a Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) score of 24 or below
- Had no diagnosed cognitive, neurological, or psychiatric disorder prior to chemotherapy
Who cannot join
- Participants were excluded if they met any of the following criteria:
- Age over 65 years
- SMMT score above 24
- Presence of brain metastases
- Presence of neurological or medical conditions affecting cognitive function
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
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- Current use of central nervous system depressants, stimulants, or psychiatric medications
- History of alcohol or substance abuse
- Withdrawal Criteria:
- Participants were withdrawn from the study if any of the following occurred:
- Discontinuation of chemotherapy treatment
- Inability to attend follow-up visits regularly
- Failure to complete the cognitive activity booklet tasks
- Loss of contact or inability to reach the participant
- Voluntary withdrawal from the study
- Death during the study period
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Health Sciences University Gulhane Training and Research Hospital
Ankara, Etlik, 06010
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of Cognitive Education Activities Provided to Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and accounts for approximately 31% of all cancers in women. The global incidence of breast cancer is increasing, making it a significant public health problem. Advances in breast cancer management, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, have contributed to reduced mortality rates. However, despite these positive developments, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as "chemobrain," may occur.
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment may manifest as deficits in memory, learning, attention, motor functions, executive functions, visual-spatial abilities, and information processing speed. These impairments negatively affect patients' quality of life and daily functioning.
Read more
In this study, cognitive education activities were designed and implemented to address these impairments. These activities aimed to support attention, memory, and executive functions and to minimize cognitive deficits. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cognitive activities applied to breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy on cognitive functions, depression levels, and odor recognition abilities.
The study sought to answer the following research questions:
- What is the effect of cognitive education activities on odor recognition ability in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy?
- What is the effect of cognitive education activities on cognitive functions in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy?
- What is the effect of cognitive education activities on depression levels in these patients?
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2025 and February 2026 at the oncology outpatient clinic and chemotherapy unit of Gulhane Training and Research Hospital. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of cognitive education activities on cognitive function, depression levels, and odor recognition ability in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A total of 120 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Eligible participants were between 18 and 65 years of age, literate, diagnosed with breast cancer, had received at least one cycle of chemotherapy, were continuing treatment, and had no diagnosed neurological or cognitive disorder before or during chemotherapy. In addition, participants had a Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) score of 24 or below. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=60) and control (n=60) groups using a computer-generated randomization method. During the study, 12 participants withdrew for various reasons, and the study was completed with 108 participants (54 in each group). The study was designed as a single-blind, pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received structured cognitive education through printed booklets, face-to-face sessions, and weekly telephone counseling. The cognitive activity program was designed to stimulate attention, memory, executive functions, and language skills. Four cognitive activity booklets with progressively increasing difficulty levels were developed. Since chemotherapy sessions were scheduled every three weeks according to the hospital protocol, each booklet was structured to be completed over a three-week period. Face-to-face sessions were conducted every three weeks, resulting in a total of five sessions over a 12-week period. During these sessions, participants completed structured cognitive activities included in the activity booklets, such as sudoku, puzzles, sentence completion, pattern recognition, word derivation, coloring, and reading comprehension exercises, all of which were designed to support cognitive functions. Weekly telephone follow-ups were conducted to enhance adherence to the intervention. To assess olfactory function, odor identification tasks were performed using non-transparent containers. Familiar scents such as lavender, coffee, lemon, orange, onion, rose water, and cinnamon were used. The control group received routine care without any cognitive intervention during the study period. After completion of the study, the control group was also provided with cognitive activity training and the educational materials used in the intervention. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, an odor identification test, the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) scale (Version 3), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Measurements were conducted at baseline and at 12 weeks following the initial assessment.
- Being tested
- Cognitive Function Training Activities
- Keywords
- breast cancer, chemotherapy, cognitive function, depression, Cognitive training, Olfactory function
- Medical subject headings
- Breast Neoplasms, Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive Function Training ActivitiesBehavioural
Participants received structured cognitive training through printed activity booklets designed to support attention, memory, executive functions, and language skills. The booklets included activities such as puzzles, word derivation, sentence completion, pattern recognition, coloring, reading comprehension, and sudoku. Four booklets with progressively increasing difficulty levels were provided over a 12-week period. Each booklet was designed to be completed over three weeks. The intervention was supported by face-to-face sessions and weekly telephone follow-ups to enhance adherence.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group (Routine Care) | No intervention | Participants in the control group received routine chemotherapy follow-up and standard care without any additional cognitive intervention during the study period. |
| Intervention Group (Cognitive Education) | Experimental | Participants in the intervention group received structured cognitive function training activities in addition to routine care. The intervention was delivered using printed activity booklets designed to support cognitive function. Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive Function Training Activities |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Cognitive Function (Standardized Mini-Mental Test)
Cognitive function was assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE/SMMT). The scale evaluates global cognitive status across domains including orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and language. Scores range from 0 to 30, where 30 represents maximum cognitive function and scores below 24 may indicate cognitive impairment. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.
Measured: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Subjective Cognitive Function (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function)
Subjective cognitive function was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) Version 3. This self-report scale consists of 37 items categorised into four subscales: Perceived Cognitive Impairment, Comments from Others, Perceived Cognitive Abilities, and Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Quality of Life. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=Not at all to 4=Very much), with higher total scores indicating better perceived cognitive health and fewer cognitive complaints.
Measured: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Change in Depression Level (Beck Depression Inventory)
Depression levels were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a 21-item self-report scale evaluating the severity of depressive symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
Measured: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Odor Recognition Ability
Odor recognition ability was assessed using a structured odor identification test consisting of 8 common odors presented in opaque (non-transparent) containers. Participants were asked to smell each container and indicate whether they could correctly recognize the odor. The assessment was based on whether each odor was correctly identified or not, rather than a numerical scoring system. The odors included familiar scents such as coffee, lavender, lemon, orange, onion, rose water, cinnamon, and mint.
Measured: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 May 2026
- Study start3 Mar 2025
- Primary completion24 Feb 2026
- Study completion2 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Breast CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Saglik Bilimleri UniversitesiThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study is a randomized controlled trial with a parallel-group design. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received structured cognitive function activities prepared by the researcher, while the control group received routine care without any additional intervention. Outcomes were compared between groups over time.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gizem Erdoğan, Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
- Investigators
- Gizem Erdoğan, Hemşire, Principal investigator, Health Sciences University Gulhane Training and Research HospitalBetülay Kılıç, Doçent Doktor, Study director, Health Sciences University Gulhane Faculty of Nursing
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07570251
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Decision No. 2025/23
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 6 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared publicly. The data were collected as part of a single-center randomized controlled trial conducted for academic thesis purposes and will not be made available for external use.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of Cognitive Education Activities Provided to Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07570251
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Decision No. 2025/23
- Keywords
- breast cancer, chemotherapy, cognitive function, depression, Cognitive training, Olfactory function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Saglik Bilimleri UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 24 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and accounts for approximately 31% of all cancers in women. The global incidence of breast cancer is increasing, making it a significant public health problem. Advances in breast cancer management, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, have contributed to reduced mortality rates. However, despite these positive developments, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as "chemobrain," may occur.
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment may manifest as deficits in memory, learning, attention, motor functions, executive functions, visual-spatial abilities, and information processing speed. These impairments negatively affect patients' quality of life and daily functioning.
In this study, cognitive education activities were designed and implemented to address these impairments. These activities aimed to support attention, memory, and executive functions and to minimize cognitive deficits. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cognitive activities applied to breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy on cognitive functions, depression levels, and odor recognition abilities.
The study sought to answer the following research questions:
- What is the effect of cognitive education activities on odor recognition ability in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy?
- What is the effect of cognitive education activities on cognitive functions in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy?
- What is the effect of cognitive education activities on depression levels in these patients?
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2025 and February 2026 at the oncology outpatient clinic and chemotherapy unit of Gulhane Training and Research Hospital. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of cognitive education activities on cognitive function, depression levels, and odor recognition ability in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A total of 120 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Eligible participants were between 18 and 65 years of age, literate, diagnosed with breast cancer, had received at least one cycle of chemotherapy, were continuing treatment, and had no diagnosed neurological or cognitive disorder before or during chemotherapy. In addition, participants had a Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) score of 24 or below. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=60) and control (n=60) groups using a computer-generated randomization method. During the study, 12 participants withdrew for various reasons, and the study was completed with 108 participants (54 in each group). The study was designed as a single-blind, pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received structured cognitive education through printed booklets, face-to-face sessions, and weekly telephone counseling. The cognitive activity program was designed to stimulate attention, memory, executive functions, and language skills. Four cognitive activity booklets with progressively increasing difficulty levels were developed. Since chemotherapy sessions were scheduled every three weeks according to the hospital protocol, each booklet was structured to be completed over a three-week period. Face-to-face sessions were conducted every three weeks, resulting in a total of five sessions over a 12-week period. During these sessions, participants completed structured cognitive activities included in the activity booklets, such as sudoku, puzzles, sentence completion, pattern recognition, word derivation, coloring, and reading comprehension exercises, all of which were designed to support cognitive functions. Weekly telephone follow-ups were conducted to enhance adherence to the intervention. To assess olfactory function, odor identification tasks were performed using non-transparent containers. Familiar scents such as lavender, coffee, lemon, orange, onion, rose water, and cinnamon were used. The control group received routine care without any cognitive intervention during the study period. After completion of the study, the control group was also provided with cognitive activity training and the educational materials used in the intervention. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, an odor identification test, the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) scale (Version 3), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Measurements were conducted at baseline and at 12 weeks following the initial assessment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study is a randomized controlled trial with a parallel-group design. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received structured cognitive function activities prepared by the researcher, while the control group received routine care without any additional intervention. Outcomes were compared between groups over time.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group (Routine Care) | No intervention | –Participants in the control group received routine chemotherapy follow-up and standard care without any additional cognitive intervention during the study period. |
| Intervention Group (Cognitive Education) | Experimental | Behavioral: Cognitive Function Training ActivitiesParticipants in the intervention group received structured cognitive function training activities in addition to routine care. The intervention was delivered using printed activity booklets designed to support cognitive function. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Aged between 18 and 65 years
- Literate
- Diagnosed with breast cancer
- Had received at least one cycle of chemotherapy and were currently undergoing chemotherapy
- Had a Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) score of 24 or below
Key exclusion criteria (16 listed)
- Age over 65 years
- SMMT score above 24
- Presence of brain metastases
- Presence of neurological or medical conditions affecting cognitive function
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Function Training ActivitiesParticipants received structured cognitive training through printed activity booklets designed to support attention, memory, executive functions, and language skills. The booklets included activities such as puzzles, word derivation, sentence completion, pattern recognition, coloring, reading comprehension, and sudoku. Four booklets with progressively increasing difficulty levels were provided over a 12-week period. Each booklet was designed to be completed over three weeks. The intervention was supported by face-to-face sessions and weekly telephone follow-ups to enhance adherence. | Behavioural | Intervention Group (Cognitive Education) |
Primary outcome
Change in Cognitive Function (Standardized Mini-Mental Test)
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Cognitive function was assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE/SMMT). The scale evaluates global cognitive status across domains including orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and language. Scores range from 0 to 30, where 30 represents maximum cognitive function and scores below 24 may indicate cognitive impairment. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Subjective Cognitive Function (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function)
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Change in Depression Level (Beck Depression Inventory)
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Odor Recognition Ability
Time frame: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared publicly. The data were collected as part of a single-center randomized controlled trial conducted for academic thesis purposes and will not be made available for external use.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Gizem Erdoğan, Hemşire principal investigator
Health Sciences University Gulhane Training and Research Hospital
Betülay Kılıç, Doçent Doktor study director
Health Sciences University Gulhane Faculty of Nursing
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cognitive Function Training Activities in people with Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy-related Cognitive Impairment, run by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Cognitive Function (Standardized Mini-Mental Test) (time frame: From baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 May 2026.