Exploration of experience and sustained engagement with a web-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention amongst patients with aggressive lymphoma - qualitative sub-study

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common, disabling side effect of cancer and its treatment, affecting memory, attention, and executive function. This single-site, parallel-group, pilot randomized controlled trial included a qualitative sub-study to examine participants’ experiences and motivation for sustained engagement with the web-based eReCog intervention among people with aggressive lymphoma who self-reported cognitive decline. Semi-structured interviews with fourteen participants were analyzed using reflexive thematic methods to identify key themes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Methods

Results

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Trial registration

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Introduction

Supportive Care in Cancer (2026) 34:685 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-10928-z](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-10928-z) Exploration of experience and sustained engagement with a web‑based cognitive rehabilitation intervention amongst patients with aggressive lymphoma: a qualitative sub‑study Priscilla Gates1,2,3 · Sian Carlon‑Garbutt1 · Haryana M. Dhillon4 · Heather J. Green5 · Karla Gough6 · Michael Dickinson7 · Tracey Dryden7 · Jade Guarnera1 · Karen Caeyenberghs1 Received: 10 March 2026 / Accepted: 19 June 2026 / Published online: 24 June 2026 © The Author(s) 2026 Abstract Background Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), a common side effect of cancer and its treatment, is characterised by difficulties in memory, attention and executive function. This qualitative sub-study was part of a single-site, parallel-group, pilot randomised controlled trial in which recruitment and retention exceeded our expectations. The aim was to explore participants’ experience and motivation for sustained engagement with a web-based cognitive rehabilitation (eReCog) intervention amongst people with aggressive lymphoma who were self-reporting cognitive decline. Methods We used an inductive qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with fourteen participants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and a reflexive thematic approach was used to describe and interpret key themes and sub-themes in the data. Results Fourteen interviews were completed. We extracted four themes describing participants experience and motivation for sustained engagement with eReCog. These included information needs, experience of participation, support and ease of use. Participants were motivated to engage to gain knowledge and strategies to manage their CRCI symptoms; they enjoyed the experience and felt validated via the online community created. Finally, they valued the additional support they received and appreciated the convenience and flexibility of the web-based program. Conclusions Our findings show that engagement with eReCog was driven by perceived cognitive improvements, psychosocial benefits and accessibility. Addressing both cognitive and psychosocial needs is warranted in web-based rehabilitation to foster continued participation engagement. Web-based cognitive rehabilitation interventions should enhance accessibility and earlier integration into the cancer trajectory to optimise long-term survivorship care in people with haematological cancers should be considered. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12623000705684 on 30th June 2023. Keywords Cancer-related cognitive impairment · Cognitive rehabilitation intervention · Aggressive lymphoma · Qualitative study Introduction Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a disabling side-effect of cancer and its treatment characterised by impaired memory, attention and executive functioning [1 , 2] . While CRCI is well documented in solid tumour populations, such as those with breast cancer [3 , 4], evidence indicates that people with haematological malignancies, including those with aggressive lymphoma, Extended author information available on the last page of the article experience comparable patterns of impairment [5–7] . For example, survivors of aggressive lymphoma have demonstrated worse performance on measures of memory, executive function and processing speed compared to healthy controls [8 , 9] . These cognitive difficulties can precede treatment, with up to 30% exhibiting impairmentsat diagnosis, up to 75% during treatment, and can persist in as many as 35% after treatment completion [10] . Given the relatively young age at diagnosis and high survival rates, many long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma contend with enduring cognitive sequelae across critical life stages and are more likely to be unemployed or receiving a disability pension [11] . Similar trends have been reported in mixed-cancer cohorts

FAQs

What is the purpose of this qualitative sub-study?

The study explores participants’ experience and motivation for sustained engagement with the web-based eReCog cognitive rehabilitation intervention among people with aggressive lymphoma who report cognitive decline.

How were participants’ experiences studied?

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fourteen participants, then recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach to identify key themes.

What themes described motivation for continued engagement with eReCog?

The analysis produced four themes: information needs, experience of participation, support, and ease of use. Participants were motivated by knowledge and strategies for CRCI symptoms, valued the online community, and appreciated convenience and flexibility.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine