Cancer survivors’ attitudes toward service delivery formats for interventions targeting cognitive impairments: a survey study

Interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairments have been increasingly investigated in recent years. Still, few cancer survivors have access to these interventions. Digital and other remote formats are examples of alternatives to traditional face-to-face delivery of interventions that may facilitate access. However, there is limited knowledge about cancer survivors’ attitudes toward these. In this study study we aimed explore cancer survivors’ perspectives regarding the delivery formats of interventions targeting cognitive impairments. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 724 participants recruited digitally through social media platforms and e-mail outreach via Norwegian cancer societies and healthcare organizations. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to summarize the data. Ordinal regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between background characteristics and outcomes. The strongest expressed interest was written self-management interventions (70.8%), followed by face-to-face courses (52.5%), oral self-management interventions (50.2%), e-mail communication with healthcare professionals (45.2%), and digital courses (39.0%). The most frequently reported needs included having relatives and friends receive information (25.9%), talking to other cancer survivors (24.6%), and receiving support from relatives and friends (24.6%). Additional needs included adapted tasks at work or school (23.3%), and support from employers or teachers (19.0%). Notably, 27.6% of the participants reported frequent need for cognitive enhancement interventions several months after completing cancer treatment. Characteristics related to age, gender, education, cancer diagnosis, and received treatment were associated with various perceived needs for interventions, delivery formats, social needs, and timing for interventions. The study underlines a clear need for acceptable and accessible interventions targeting cancer-related cognitive impairments. The strong preference for written self-management interventions and asynchronous formats, such as e-mail communication with healthcare professionals, highlights the potential for scalable approaches that merit further exploration. Involving the social network of cancer survivors may strengthen their coping capacity and improve outcomes of cognitive challenges. Importantly, the optimal timing for cognitive enhancement interventions, appears to be after the completion of cancer treatment when survivors are transitioning to everyday life and are more likely to become aware of cognitive challenges. Tailoring interventions according to demographic and clinical background might be relevant as there are differences in perspectives and needs regarding interventions targeting cognitive impairments.