Veenstra, Silke (2024) Cognitive and Psychosocial Characteristics of Patients with LGG with Very Few to No Cognitive Complaints. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Patients with lower-grade glioma (LGG) often face the same significant challenges, including intensive treatments and frequent cognitive impairments and complaints. However, a subset of these patients reports very few to no cognitive complaints in their daily lives. This study aimed to characterize patients with LGG with very few to no self- reported cognitive complaints (NoCC), by comparing to patients with self-reported cognitive complaints (CC). Specifically, the study examined higher-order cognitive functions, psychological distress, coping styles, and self-awareness. Additionally, this study examines proxy-reported cognitive complaints (NoPCC/PCC) to investigate whether the findings were consistent across subjective self-reported and proxy-reported cognitive complaints. Methods: A total of 146 patients with LGG completed the Dysexecutive Self Questionnaire (DEX Self), and 137 proxies of patients filled in the Dysexecutive Proxy Questionnaire (DEX Proxy). Patients were categorized into groups based on cognitive complaints (NoCC/NoPCC: <10th percentile, CC/PCC: ≥10th percentile). Sociodemographic data, higher-order cognitive functions (Zoo Map Test, Trail Making Test-B, FEEST), psychological distress (HADS), coping styles (UCL), and self-awareness (PCRS Self-Proxy) were analyzed. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: No significant differences were found in higher-order cognitive functions between NoCC and CC. However, the NoCC group had significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression, less avoidant and passive coping, and a smaller discrepancy between self- and proxy-scores. Proxy-reports showed no significant differences in higher-order cognitive functions and no difference in coping styles in the NoPCC group. The NoPCC group reported significant lower levels of anxiety and depression, but a larger discrepancy between self- and proxy-scores. Conclusions: Patients with LGG with very few to no cognitive complaints seem to exhibit better psychological well-being and more adaptive coping strategies compared to those with cognitive complaints. This study emphasizes that the absence of cognitive complaints in patients with LGG is related to psychological distress and coping style rather than differences in cognitive functions or impaired self-awareness. These findings suggest that psychological support and the development of effective coping strategies could be beneficial for patients with cognitive complaints.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Siebenga, F.F. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Dec 2024 12:12 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Dec 2024 12:12 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4480 |
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