The dynamics of cognitive and sensorimotor functions in students of a hospital school with cancer

Context and relevance. Diagnosis of cognitive functions in children undergoing cancer treatment is crucial for creating an effective educational process and rehabilitation plan, since early and long-term effects of treatment can lead to impairments affecting the cognitive functions of these patients. Understanding the extent and nature of these disorders allows us to develop an individual approach to maintain the age-related activity of the immediate developmental zones and potentially prevent further cognitive complications. Objective. To investigate the dynamics of cognitive functions in school‑age patients over the course of the educational process. Hypothesis. Children attending a hospital school may experience an improvement in cognitive functions during the educational process. Methods and materials. The study involved 20 school-age patients (M = 11,8, SD = 2,76). Cognitive functions were assessed using the Shufrid psychophysiological testing system (cognitron, verbal NBack, determination test for children, Stroop’s interference test and the “Svetofon” hardware‑software complex, and academic performance was also recorded. The diagnosis was carried out twice: the primary one at the beginning of the school year and the second one after 7–8 months. Results. Children studying at the hospital school show an improvement in attention processes (switching, sustained attention), information processing speed and activity pace, and also increased effectiveness of short‑term memory, reduced interference, and improved sensorimotor functions (reaction speed, precision). Conclusions. The results of the diagnosis of cognitive functions are necessary in the preparation of rehabilitation programs for the patient and the adaptation of educational programs. Digital technologies are suitable for the diagnosis and correction of sensorimotor and cognitive functions in patients with cancer at different stages of treatment and for dynamic monitoring in the long term after treatment.

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