CanCOG®: Pilot Trial of Cognitive Rehabilitation for Cancer Survivors
CanCOG®
CanCOG® - Cognitive Rehabilitation in Cancer: A Protocol for a Multicenter Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial With Non-central Nervous System Cancer Survivors
2 other identifiers
interventional
60
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) affects a large proportion of non-central nervous system cancer survivors and can negatively impact cognitive functioning and daily life. Cognitive rehabilitation has shown promising results in addressing these difficulties. The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the CanCOG®- Cognitive Rehabilitation in Cancer program in Portuguese adult cancer survivors with CRCI. Adult non-central nervous system cancer survivors (n=60) will be randomly assigned to receive either the CanCOG® intervention or treatment as usual. CanCOG® is a structured cognitive rehabilitation program designed to help cancer survivors manage cognitive difficulties through cognitive training exercises, psychoeducation, and compensatory strategy training. The program consists of six weekly sessions of 1 hour and 30 minutes each, delivered over six consecutive weeks. Sessions are administered in person in small groups (3-9 participants) and are led by a trained professional. The main focus of the study is to assess feasibility outcomes, including recruitment, retention, adherence to the intervention, and completion of study assessments, as well as acceptability and participant satisfaction. The study will also explore preliminary effects of the intervention on cognitive functioning (both perceived and objective), symptoms of anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Participants will complete assessments at baseline (2 weeks after the intervention), 2 weeks after the intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Some participants (10-15) will also take part in interviews to provide feedback on their experience with the program.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Sep 2026
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
July 29, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 10, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
September 1, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2027
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
May 1, 2028
August 10, 2026
August 1, 2026
9 months
July 29, 2026
August 7, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (10)
Feasibility - Screening rate
Screening rate will be assessed as the proportion of potentially eligible cancer survivors who undergo eligibility screening.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.
Feasibility - Eligibility rate
The eligibility rate will be assessed as the proportion of screened individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. Reasons for ineligibility will be documented whenever available.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Feasibility - Consent rate
Consent rate will be assessed as the proportion of eligible individuals who provide informed consent. Reasons for refusal to participate will be documented whenever available.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.
Feasibility - Retention rate
Retention rate will be assessed as the proportion of participants who remain enrolled until study completion. Reasons for withdrawal will be documented whenever available.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Feasibility - Assesment completion rate
Assessment completion rate will be assessed as the proportion of participants completing assessments at each assessment time point. Reasons for missed assessments will be documented whenever available.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Feasibility - Intervention adherence
Intervention adherence will be assessed as the proportion of intervention sessions attended by participants allocated to the intervention group. Reasons for missed sessions will be documented whenever available.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Feasibility - Intervention fidelity
Intervention fidelity, the extent to which the intervention is delivered according to the intervention manual and session plans, will be assessed through facilitator-completed fidelity checklists.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups
Acceptability - Participant retention and intervention adherence
Acceptability of the intervention will be assessed using participant retention (proportion of participants who remain enrolled until study completion) and intervention adherence (proportion of intervention sessions attended by participants allocated to the intervention group).
Baseline ( 2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-up.
Acceptability - Qualitative feedback
Acceptability will be assessed through semi-structured interviews conducted with 10-15 participants from the intervention group. Interviews will explore participants' perceptions of the intervention content, format, duration, group delivery, perceived usefulness, and barriers or facilitators to participation.
Post-intervention (2 weeks after)
Acceptability - ACRIS-CS
Acceptability will also be assessed through the Acceptability of Cognitive Rehabilitation Interventions Survey-Cancer Survivors (ACRIS-CS). This 11-item instrument evaluates participants' perceptions of the intervention's acceptability, including its perceived usefulness, appropriateness, and overall satisfaction. Higher scores indicate greater acceptability of the cognitive rehabilitation intervention.
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention) and post-intervention (2 weeks after).
Secondary Outcomes (11)
Perceived cognitive functioning
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2weeks after), 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.
Objective cognitive functioning (Global cognition)
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), Post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-up.
Objective cognitive functioning (Verbal learning and memory)
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-up.
Objective cognitive functioning (Attention and processing speed)
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-up.
Objective cognitive functioning (Executive functioning and cognitive flexibility)
Baseline (2 weeks before intervention), post-intervention (2 weeks after), and 3-month and 6-month follow-up.
- +6 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Cognitive rehabilitation intervention
EXPERIMENTALParticipants allocated to this arm will receive the CanCOG® cognitive rehabilitation intervention in addition to usual care. Following baseline assessment (2 weeks before the intervention), participants will attend the intervention over a 6-week period and complete study assessments 2 weeks after the intervention and at 3- and 6-month follow-up time points. Participants will be asked to complete neuropsychological and psychosocial assessments at each evaluation point. A subset of participants (10-15) may also be invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to explore the acceptability of the intervention, perceived benefits, barriers to participation, and overall satisfaction with the program and study procedures.
Treatment-as-usual
NO INTERVENTIONParticipants allocated to this arm will continue to receive the usual care and support available through their healthcare providers and will not receive the CanCOG® intervention during the study period. Participants will complete the same schedule of neuropsychological and psychosocial assessments as the intervention group at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up time points.
Interventions
CanCOG® is a structured cognitive rehabilitation program designed for cancer survivors experiencing cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). The intervention is delivered in person in small groups of 3 to 9 participants by a trained professional and consists of six weekly sessions of 90 minutes each over six consecutive weeks. The program combines psychoeducation about CRCI, cognitive training exercises targeting domains such as attention, memory, and executive functioning, and compensatory strategy training to support everyday cognitive functioning and self-management of cognitive difficulties.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years whose native language is European Portuguese;
- Diagnosis of cancer not involving the central nervous system (non-CNS cancer);
- Disease stage I to III;
- Completion of primary cancer treatment at least 6 months and no more than 5 years prior to enrollment (with the exception of ongoing hormone therapy and immunotherapy);
- Score \< 51 on the Perceived Cognitive Abilities subscale of the FACT-Cog v3. Stable psychiatric and neurological medication regimen for at least 3 months prior to enrollment;
- Educational level equal to or higher than the 3rd year of primary education;
- Ability to read and write in Portuguese and provide informed consent to participate.
You may not qualify if:
- Diagnosis of current severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder);
- Diagnosis of communication disorders;
- Diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders or other severe medical conditions (e.g., history of stroke, encephalitis, dementia or neurodegenerative disease, epilepsy, or traumatic brain injury);
- Presence of metastases or other tumors;
- History of substance abuse (alcohol or drugs);
- Current or prior participation in another cognitive rehabilitation intervention.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Aveiro Universitylead
- Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugalcollaborator
Study Sites (1)
University of Aveiro
Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
Related Publications (35)
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MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Principal Investigator
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
July 29, 2026
First Posted
August 10, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
September 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 1, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
May 1, 2028
Last Updated
August 10, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-08
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share