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Development of working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functions in patients with pediatric cancer

Kirstin Schuerch1,2, Saskia Salzmann1,2,3, Leonie Steiner1

  • 1Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.

Pediatric Research
|August 29, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Half of pediatric cancer patients experience cognitive decline post-treatment, impacting working memory and processing speed. Early monitoring and interventions are crucial for stable cognitive and psychosocial development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Pediatric cancer survivors often face long-term cognitive challenges.
  • Understanding cognitive and psychosocial development during and after treatment is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cognitive and psychosocial function development in pediatric cancer patients from diagnosis to one year post-treatment.
  • To identify risk factors associated with cognitive and psychosocial development.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of clinical records for 57 pediatric patients (ages 4-16).
  • Evaluation of working memory (WM), processing speed (PS), psychosocial functions, and quality of life (QoL) at diagnosis (T1) and one year post-treatment (T2).

Main Results:

  • Approximately 50% of patients showed stable/favorable cognitive development (PS: 51.9%, WM: 41.4%), while the other half exhibited decline.
  • Psychosocial functions remained stable/improved in 51.6-77.4% of patients.
  • Changes in prosocial behavior correlated with processing speed development (r=0.472, p=0.010); age and sex predicted cognitive and psychosocial outcomes, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric cancer patients exhibit varied cognitive trajectories, with about half experiencing non-favorable development.
  • Individualized monitoring and early interventions are essential to support cognitive and psychosocial well-being post-treatment.
  • Prosocial behavior changes are linked to processing speed development, highlighting the interconnectedness of cognitive and psychosocial recovery.

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