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Neuropsychological assessment in non-central nervous system cancer patients: a systematic review of cognitive screening and assessment within oncology practice

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Title: Neuropsychological assessment in non-central nervous system cancer patients: a systematic review of cognitive screening and assessment within oncology practice
Authors: Monzani, Dario, Conti, Lorenzo, Pravettoni, Gabriella, Grasso, Roberto, Ferrari, Maria Vittoria, Ferraris, Giulia, Coppini, Veronica, Marzorati, Chiara, Capetti, Benedetta
Source: Health Psychology Review. :1-65
Publisher Information: Informa UK Limited, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: FOS: Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3. Good health
Description: Background: Early cancer detection and innovative treatments have prolonged the lifespan of cancer patients, leading to long-term consequences, including cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), affecting the patients’ quality of life. In 2011, the International Cancer and Cognition Task Force (ICCTF) established guidelines for neuropsychological assessment, however many neuropsychological tests lack validity for oncological patients. Aim: This systematic review aims to identify and summarise the most commonly used neuropsychological tests in cognitive screening and assessment in non-CNS cancer patients. Method: A search of electronic databases (PUBMED, EMBASE, and SCOPUS) includes 1) research articles using 2) neuropsychological tests 3) on non-CNS cancer patients, 4) aged between 18 and 80 years old, 5) published in the English 6) from January 2011 to October 2023. Quality assessment was assessed by MMAT Guidelines. Results: 178 studies met the eligibility criteria, adopting a total of 151 different neuropsychological tests. The most widely used screening test was the Mini-Mental State Examination (N=41). Among the main cognitive domains analyzed, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (N=61) was the most commonly used to assess memory. The Controlled Oral Word Association Test (N=24) was primarily utilized regarding language and the Trail Making Test-part A (TMT-A) (N=37) was the most frequently used for attention. Moreover, executive functions were predominantly studied using the TMT-B (N=45). Among the included studies, only 42 adhered to the guidelines provided by the ICCTF. Conclusion: Despite the available guidelines, the wide variability of the utilized tests undermines the generalisability of results. These findings underscore the necessity of developing and implementing assessment and screening tools tailored specifically for cancer patients within the oncology practice.
Document Type: Article
Other literature type
Language: English
ISSN: 1743-7202
1743-7199
DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2025.2536071
DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/x3n45
Rights: CC BY NC ND
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....a1a876b7ce73a3d1b09274dfd1ca7d62
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:Background: Early cancer detection and innovative treatments have prolonged the lifespan of cancer patients, leading to long-term consequences, including cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), affecting the patients’ quality of life. In 2011, the International Cancer and Cognition Task Force (ICCTF) established guidelines for neuropsychological assessment, however many neuropsychological tests lack validity for oncological patients. Aim: This systematic review aims to identify and summarise the most commonly used neuropsychological tests in cognitive screening and assessment in non-CNS cancer patients. Method: A search of electronic databases (PUBMED, EMBASE, and SCOPUS) includes 1) research articles using 2) neuropsychological tests 3) on non-CNS cancer patients, 4) aged between 18 and 80 years old, 5) published in the English 6) from January 2011 to October 2023. Quality assessment was assessed by MMAT Guidelines. Results: 178 studies met the eligibility criteria, adopting a total of 151 different neuropsychological tests. The most widely used screening test was the Mini-Mental State Examination (N=41). Among the main cognitive domains analyzed, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (N=61) was the most commonly used to assess memory. The Controlled Oral Word Association Test (N=24) was primarily utilized regarding language and the Trail Making Test-part A (TMT-A) (N=37) was the most frequently used for attention. Moreover, executive functions were predominantly studied using the TMT-B (N=45). Among the included studies, only 42 adhered to the guidelines provided by the ICCTF. Conclusion: Despite the available guidelines, the wide variability of the utilized tests undermines the generalisability of results. These findings underscore the necessity of developing and implementing assessment and screening tools tailored specifically for cancer patients within the oncology practice.
ISSN:17437202
17437199
DOI:10.1080/17437199.2025.2536071