JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD) is a significant problem; interventions are needed to mitigate CRCD for older adults.

Objective:

Our objective was to develop Memory and Attention Adaptation Training-Geriatrics (MAAT-G), a CRCD intervention for older adults, and evaluate MAAT-G usability.

Methods:

MAAT-G, is a cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention delivered by a health professional over the course of ten weekly individual workshops via videoconferencing. To develop MAAT-G, the Contextual, Cohort-based, Maturity, Specific Challenge (CCMSC) framework was used for preliminary adaptations. Patient advocate collaborators guided further refinement, reviewing MAAT-G workshop content, participant workbook, and intervention delivery via videoconferencing to optimize relevance and usability for older adults. The usability of MAAT-G and its video-conferencing delivery was subsequently evaluated in 4 older adults with breast cancer using the System Usability Scale (SUS; score range 0-100, >67 above average) and through semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Results:

Numerous adaptations were made to address the unique needs of older patients using CCMSC framework and patient advocate feedback. Usability testing included four female patients with breast cancer; mean age 73.3 years (range 67-77). Patients were receiving systemic therapy (two adjuvant, two advanced stage disease). One patient had less than a high school education; three had some college education or more. Two patients identified as low-comfort with technology; one patient required a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot due to limited internet access. All four patients completed study procedures, including 10 MAAT-G workshop sessions (100% intervention adherence). Mean SUS score was 85.6, indicating good usability.

Conclusions:

MAAT-G is a behavioral intervention developed to mitigate CRCD. It is designed specifically for older adults and showed above average usability in this population.