Co-relation between cognitive impairment, functional capacity and quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy

Background and Objectives: Multiple impairments, participation restrictions, activity limitations are caused due to cancer and its treatment. Cognitive dysfunction is one of the commonest impairments reported in people with cancer. Due to cytostatics that are often accompanied by side‐effects having major impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients, the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) is one of the most commonly used measure to find functional capacity of an individual. However, there is paucity in literature to show correlation between cognitive impairment, functional capacity and QoL in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Hence, the present study was taken up to study the same. Methods: Sixty(60) patients undergoing chemotherapy, were assessed for cognitive impairment, functional capacity and quality of life using outcome measures like MMSE scale, 6 MWT and FACT-G scale. Results: Correlation between 6-MWD and chemotherapy cycles, 6-MWD in meters and MMSE, 6-MWD and Fact-G was done using Spearman’s rank which showed a positive correlation between 6-MWD and MMSE with r=0.2584. Conclusion: The present study showed that the patients were cognitively fit and had better quality of life even though there is negligible correlation between 6-MWD and chemotherapy cycles thus stating that the functional capacity is not affected in patients undergoing chemotherapy.