Date of Graduation
5-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Nursing
Advisor/Mentor
Vowell Johnson, Kelly
Committee Member/Reader
Ballentine, Hope
Abstract
With increasing cancer diagnoses and an increase of chemotherapy treatment, many patients complain of cognitive decline during the duration of treatment as well as once treatment has been completed. The purpose of this review is to compile relevant research regarding chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment and its implications for the care of cancer patients. Peer-reviewed articles and studies focusing on the impact of chemotherapy on cognitive function were evaluated, resulting in a total of 12 studies utilized in this review. Overall, it has been found that a large percentage of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment report a subjective decline in cognitive functioning, but there is little evidence of objective decline shown by cognitive testing and fMRI data. While more research needs to be conducted to find whether there is measurable objective decline in patients receiving chemotherapy treatment, understanding and managing the symptoms should be a priority for healthcare providers delivering chemotherapy treatment.
Keywords
chemotherapy, cognitive impairment, cognitive function, cancer treatment
Citation
Menz, C. (2021). The Effects of Chemotherapeutic Agents on Cognitive Function: A Literature Review. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursuht/136