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Executive function in cancer patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
Juan Yang1, Juncheng Guo2, Xiangling Jiang2
11 Department of Psychology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, P. R. China.
International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine
|August 10, 2017
Summary
Cancer patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show significant executive function impairments. This study highlights the link between PTSD symptoms and cognitive deficits in cancer survivors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in cancer patients is linked to noncompliant behaviors.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the neurocognitive impact of PTSD across diverse cancer types and patient populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of PTSD in cancer patients.
- To examine the relationship between PTSD and executive function in individuals with cancer.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 285 cancer patients with PTSD and 150 healthy controls.
- Administered the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, Tower of Hanoi, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Chinese revision.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in executive function scores (Tower of Hanoi, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Chinese revision) were found between PTSD and control groups (p < 0.001).
- All PTSD symptoms significantly correlated with executive function deficits.
Conclusions:
- Cancer patients with PTSD exhibit more pronounced executive function impairments compared to healthy individuals.
- Findings underscore the critical need to address PTSD in cancer care to mitigate cognitive dysfunction.
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