New hope for 'chemo brain': study tests two therapies to sharpen memory in breast cancer survivors
NCT ID NCT05289258
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two non-drug treatments—cognitive rehabilitation (brain training) and the Unified Barlow Protocol (emotional therapy)—against a waitlist group to see if they can reduce memory and thinking problems in breast cancer survivors. 123 survivors with mild to moderate cognitive issues will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The goal is to improve cognitive function, emotional health, and quality of life, with results checked after six months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cognitive rehabilitation and Unified Barlow Protocol (behavioral interventions)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer breast cancer survivors a non-drug way to improve memory, thinking, and emotional well-being after chemotherapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with 123 participants. The interventions are behavioral, so results may vary and may not apply to all survivors. Long-term benefits are uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 123 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2021
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Cancer diagnosis, stages I-III. * Cancer type: Breast. * Have received the last chemotherapy session in the last 6 months and a maximum of 6 years of treatment completion. * Probable or mild to moderate cognitive impairment (score between 26 and 10 points according to the MMSE). * Ability to be fluent in Spanish. * Not currently participating in another clinical trial. * Not currently receiving other psychological treatment Exclusion Criteria: * Men and women aged \> 70 years. * Diagnosis of cancer, stage IV or other types of cancer. * Last chemotherapy session \< 6 months or \> 6 years. * No cognitive impairment (MMSE score between 30 and 27 points). * Diagnosis of mental disorder (including substance abuse) prior to cancer diagnosis. * Relapse in disease after chemotherapy treatment is completed. * Neurodevelopmental Disorder Diagnosis. * Diagnosis of diseases that affect cognitive performance such as: hypertension, cardiac diseases, epilepsy, dementias, multiple sclerosis, functional disorders (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, post-concussion syndrome, whiplash syndrome), CNS infections (HIV, encephalitis), metabolic disorders (diabetes, B12 deficiency), obstructive sleep apnea, brain damage (stroke, TBI, CNS cancer) and use of medications / substances that interfere with cognitive function such as pregabalin, gabapentin, topiramate, antidepressants tricyclics, sodium valproate, anticholinergics, methylphenidate, typical antipsychotics.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGCórdoba, 14005, Spain
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Reina Sofía University Hospital
RECRUITINGCórdoba, Spain
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