Effects of chemotherapy on cognitive functioning and quality of life among cancer patients in Peshawar

Abstract

The time series study was planned to assess the possible effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on cognitive functioning and patients' quality of life. Conducted at the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from 1^st January, 2021 to 15^th April, 2021, the study comprised 60 patients who were divided into chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and healthy control groups. Data was collected using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-cognitive questionnaire and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. Chemotherapy significantly affected the cognitive functioning of participants compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The quality of life of the patients in chemotherapy and radiotherapy groups was significantly impaired compared to the controls (p<0.05). The findings showed the negative side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Key Words: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Cognitive functioning, Quality of life, Oncology.