Brain Fog
Intended Audience
For all members diagnosed and living with cancer. Caregivers may attend if needed. It is recommended that medical treatments be finished and a strong commitment be made to this program
Program Description
Brain Fog is an eight-week cognitive enhancement program designed to address cognitive changes associated with various cancer treatments. The program, developed by Dr. Heather Palmer (PhD Neuropsychology), provides education, enlightenment and practical strategies for dealing with the challenging aspects of post cancer brain change.
“Awareness of tools for multitasking and organizing through workarounds.”
“Don’t lose hope. I feel less hurt and panicked. Accepting a new reality of life going forward.”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart – this program improved my quality of life.”
What to Expect at a Session
This is an eight-week educational and experiential program led by professionals skilled in the application of cognitive enhancement strategies. Sessions are 90 minutes long and class size is limited. Members can expect to learn about post cancer cognitive challenges, identify the nature of their limitations, and engage in exercises and techniques designed to stimulate and restore brain function.
Benefits and Impact
Cancer related cognitive dysfunction (often called ‘chemobrain’ or ‘brain fog’) is a commonly reported condition experienced by cancer patients. Though cognitive dysfunction is conventionally associated with chemotherapy, recent literature suggests that the condition may occur even in cancer survivors who have not received chemotherapy (Országhová et al., 2021). In Alberta, changes in concentration and/or memory was among the top three post-treatment concerns reported by breast and hematology cancer patients (Link et al., 2022).
Brain Fog is a cognitive rehabilitation program developed by Maximum Capacity Inc. In a randomized control trial, this program was shown to improve memory, goal management, and psychosocial status in the elderly (Craik et al., 2007; Levine et al., 2007; Winocur et al., 2007). More recent research has studied the effects of similar cognitive rehabilitation and training programs on brain fog in people living with cancer. These studies noted improvements in several aspects of cognitive function, including memory, attention, task management, and executive functioning (Bray et al., 2017; Ercoli et al., 2015; Fernandes et al., 2019; Kesler et al., 2013; Von Ah et al., 2012). One study from 2020 exploring a cognitive rehabilitation intervention found that the program not only improved perceived cognitive impairment, but also anxiety and quality of life among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (Dos Santos et al., 2020).
To learn more, view this presentation by Heather Palmer, PhD, the developer of the Brain Fog program.
