The use of ARMCan app to improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients with chemobrain.

Abstract

e13619 Background: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women with approximately 2 million women diagnosed in 2018. The 10-year survival rate is 78%. Breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy treatment can suffer neurocognitive impairment resulting in significant effects on their cognitive functioning. Chemotherapy-related dysfunction is known as “chemobrain”. Chemobrain is the basis of significant neurological morbidities in the breast cancer population. It causes difficulty in people being able to carry out activities of daily living and impacts people’s livelihoods and well-being. Studies have shown that music-based intervention can improve cognitive function. Methods: Since music-based interventions to specifically address chemo-related cognitive deficits have not been explored, we are conducting a pilot feasibility study to beta test the novel Active Receptive Music for Cancer patients application (ARMCan) which allows its user to have an interactive musical experience. Patients are randomized into two arms. In receptive listening, users listen to a genre of their choice, and in active listening, users add sounds over a base trace. At the beginning of the study, patients will be given a FACT-Cog questionnaire and undergo MRI imaging. The study invention will be conducted for six months where patients will use the ARMCan app for 15 minutes daily. They will be followed for one year post-study intervention with FACT-Cog questionnaires given directly after the cessation of the study intervention and at months six and 12 of follow up. An additional MRI will be taken at month 12 of follow up. Results: FACT-Cog and MRI data will be used to analyze the results of active versus receptive music therapy on chemotherapy-related cognition dysfunction. Conclusions: We are currently accruing patients to beta test this interactive application, which may promote executive function recovery in breast cancer patients with chemobrain and advance clinical care in breast cancer survivorship.