Music Cognition in Breast Cancer Survivors

Authors

  • Debra Burns Phd, MT_BC
  • Tonya R. Bergeson PhD
  • Susan M. Perkins PhD
  • Brenna C. McDonald PsyD, MBA
  • Andrew J. Saykin PsyD
  • Fred W. Unverzagt PhD
  • Victoria L. Champion DNA, RN, FAAN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v3i4.338

Abstract

Advances in breast cancer treatment have resulted in improved survival rates and concomitant reports of chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction. Music cognition, a form of general cognition, also may be negatively affected by chemotherapy. Moreover, chemotherapy may have general ototoxic effects. The goal of this study was to explore whether breast cancer survivors (BCS) had similar hearing thresholds and music cognition abilities compared with age-matched healthy controls (HC). A total of 56 women (28 BCS and 28 HC) completed the audiometric tests and the Montreal Battery Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA). Results indicate the 2 groups have similar hearing thresholds. A comparison of music cognition variables suggests possible differences in some music cognition tasks, with HC scoring slightly, but not significantly, better in melodic perception. The BCS scored slightly better, though not significantly, on melodic memory. An adequately powered study including cognitive variables is needed for verification of findings and to establish clinical meaningfulness.

Author Biographies

Debra Burns, Phd, MT_BC

Debra S. Burns, PhD, MT-BC, is an associate professor and coordinator of music therapy at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology in Indianapolis.

Tonya R. Bergeson, PhD

Tonya R. Bergeson, PhD, is an associate professor and Philip F. Holton Scholar in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Susan M. Perkins, PhD

Susan M. Perkins, PhD, is an associate professor and director of the Biostatics and Data Management Core of the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, and the associate director of the Design and Biostatistics Program of the Indiana CTSI.

Brenna C. McDonald, PsyD, MBA

Brenna C. McDonald, PsyD, MBA, is an assistant professor of radi-ology and neurology and a member of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Andrew J. Saykin, PsyD

Andrew J. Saykin, PsyD, is the director of Indiana University Center for Neuroimaging and professor of radiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Fred W. Unverzagt, PhD

Fred W. Unverzagt, PhD, is professor of clinical psychology and clinical medical and molecular genetics at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Victoria L. Champion, DNA, RN, FAAN

Victoria L. Champion, DNA, RN, FAAN, is a distinguished professor, Mary Margaret Walther Professor of Nursing, and Edward W. and Sarah StamCullipher Endowed Chair at the Indiana University School of Nursing.

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Issue

Vol. 3 No. 4 (2011)

Section

Full Length Articles