Learning and memory performance in a cohort of clinically referred breast cancer survivors: the role of attention versus forgetting in patient‐reported memory complaints

• DOI: 10.1002/pon.3615
• Publication Date: 2014-07-05T04:43:38Z
• Authors: James C. Root; Elizabeth Ryan; Gregory Barnett; Charissa Andreotti; Kemi Bolutayo; Tim Ahles
• Keywords: Memory span; Memory Impairment

While forgetfulness is widely reported by breast cancer survivors, studies documenting objective memory performance yield mixed, largely inconsistent, results. Failure to find consistent, issues may be due the possibility that survivors misattribute their experience of primary rather than difficulties in attention at time learning. To clarify potential issues, factor scores for Attention Span, Learning Efficiency, Delayed Memory, and Inaccurate Memory were analyzed California Verbal Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II) 64 clinically referred with self-reported cognitive complaints; item analysis was conducted specific contributors observed effects, contrasts between learning recall trials compared normative data. Performance on broader domains also reported. The Span factor, but not or factors, significantly affected this clinical sample. Contrasts consistent data did indicate greater loss information over Results suggest attentional dysfunction contribute subjective complaints survivors. These results are discussed context effects following treatment clinicians who see assessment.