December 15, 2025 – A remote, cognitive rehabilitation program may offer an effective path to helping survivors manage “chemobrain” and reclaim everyday life, according to a new study. 

For many adults recovering from cancer, finishing treatment doesn’t end the challenges. Up to 80% of survivors continue to struggle with “chemobrain”—subtle but disruptive changes in memory, attention, and mental processing that can make work, relationships, and daily routines unexpectedly difficult.  

A new study published in Supportive Care of Cancer examined CRAFT-G (Computerized Retraining and Functional Treatment-), a remote group intervention combining cognitive training, psychoeducation, and occupational-therapy-based strategies for adults experiencing cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). 

In this feasibility study, five adults between the ages of 30 and 57 participated in six weekly group meetings and engaged in personalized digital brain-training activities in weekly remote group sessions. Many also described feeling more understood, supported, and empowered through the group format. While improvements in objective cognitive tests were modest—common in CRCI research—self-perceived cognitive functioning improved for most participants, and physical quality-of-life scores also showed meaningful gains in their ability to carry out everyday tasks such as managing home responsibilities or organizing work demands. 

“Cancer survivors often tell us they feel like they’ve ‘lost’ parts of themselves after treatment,” says Prof. Yafit Gilboa, HU School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine. “Our goal was to offer a practical, compassionate, and accessible way to help them regain control—to show them that their cognitive challenges are real, understandable, and, importantly, treatable. Seeing participants improve in the activities that matter most to them is exactly why we do this work.” 

The researchers concluded that CRAFT-G is a feasible, accessible, and potentially effective option for cancer survivors living with cognitive changes—and recommend larger trials to further validate its benefits. A larger controlled study is now underway to examine the effectiveness of the intervention among a broader group of breast cancer survivors. 

The research paper titled “Remote group intervention for adults with cancer-related cognitive impairment: a feasibility study” is now available in Supportive Care in Cancer and can be accessed here.

Funding

This research is supported by the Israel Cancer Association.

Researchers:

Chenanit Hamami1,2, Tamar Peretz3,4, Mor Nahum1, Talia Maeir5, Ofra Maimon6, Yafit Gilboa1

Institutions:

  1. School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hadassah Medical Center
  3. Hadassah Medical Center
  4. Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  5. Departments of Psychology and of Cognitive Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  6. Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center