"I would have told you about being forgetful, but I forgot": the experience of cognitive changes and communicative participation after head and neck cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study have implications for counseling and treatment of individuals with head and neck cancer, as well as advocating for these patients to receive appropriate information and intervention. Implications for rehabilitation Survivors of non-nasopharyngeal head and neck cancer described experiencing problems with memory and focus/attention along with slowed processing and language difficulties. Study participants generally felt both unprepared for the cognitive changes they experienced and, in many ways, unsupported by healthcare providers and others. Rehabilitation professionals should be aware that cognitive changes following medical treatment for head and neck cancer may affect a patient's ability to learn and follow complex treatment regimens. Rehabilitation professionals can advise and advocate for these patients to receive the appropriate referrals for assessment and treatment of their cognitive symptoms. PMID: 30453786 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Tags: Disabil Rehabil Source Type: research