Cognitive impairment is experienced by as many as 75% of cancer survivors who have received chemotherapy (Janelsins et al., 2014). It is a complex treatment-related side effect experienced by cancer survivors both during chemotherapy (Hess et al., 2015; Moore et al., 2019) and more than 20 years after chemotherapy (Koppelmans et al., 2012; Stouten-Kemperman et al., 2015; Von Ah & Tallman, 2015). Cognitive impairment affects several domains, including attention/concentration, executive function, visuospatial ability, verbal/language skills, and memory (Kanaskie, 2012).

Background: Chemotherapy is essential for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous studies concluded that survivors of cancer who were treated with chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to understand cognitive function in survivors of AML. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore distributions and correlates of cognitive function, and prediction of cognitive function on other outcomes in adults with AML who were treated with chemotherapy. Methods: A health science librarian systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases. Two reviewers independently conducted the title, abstract, and full-text screening. Data were extracted and synthesized based on the aims of the review. Results: A total of 10 articles were included. Findings indicate that up to 62.2% of adults with AML experienced impaired cognitive function after starting chemotherapy. Three studies found cognitive function remained stable over time. Education and cytokines were potential correlates of cognitive function. Worse cognitive function may predict lower physical performance and higher mortality, although the results were inconsistent across studies. Conclusion: Impaired cognitive function was observed in adults with AML who were treated with chemotherapy. However, no study used a validated subjective cognitive-function–specific patient-reported questionnaire, and previous studies focusing on cognitive function included relatively young samples. Hence, further research on cognitive function in older adults with AML is needed. Implications for Practice: Because of the high prevalence of cognitive impairment identified, it is important to screen cognitive function in adults with AML who are planning to receive chemotherapy to intervene and provide support earlier.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of implementation of an extremity exercise program and to examine its preliminary effects in breast cancer survivors suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Sample & Setting: Thirteen breast cancer survivors from one hospital in northern Taiwan. Methods and Variables: A single group with repeated measures, and a quasi-experimental design. The intervention program was a four week, home-based extremity exercise program that was comprised of 10 skilled hand exercises and Buerger-Allen exercises. The Total Neuropathy Scale (clinical version), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group, Neurotoxicity (13-Item Version), Identification Pain Questionnaire, and pain Visual Analogue Scale were used to measure CIPN before exercise (T1), during (T2~T4), and after exercise (T5). Qualitative data were also collected at each time point. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, generalized estimating equations, and directed content analysis. Results: None of the participants reported adverse events during the study period. The extremity exercise program significantly improved patient-reported CIPN after intervention at T4 or T5 but was insignificant on clinician-assessed CIPN. The qualitative data of participant experience indicated that this program is feasible and easy to follow. Conclusion: The extremity exercise program is feasible but needs to increase the sample size and prolong the intervention period for confirmation.