Cognitive Tasks Challenging Brain Tumor Survivors at Work

Objective: To identify problematic work tasks involving cognitive function in employed brain tumor survivors. Methods: Work tasks involving cognitive functions were compared between employed brain tumor survivors (n = 137) and a disease-free group (n = 96). Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted. Results: In the brain tumor survivors, 44% (26/59) of work tasks were more likely to be problematic. Top five problematic work tasks included were as follows: following the flow of events (odds ratio [OR] = 11.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.19 to 43.07), remembering train of thought while speaking (OR = 11.70; 95% CI = 5.25 to 26.10), putting together materials for a task (OR = 10.90; 95% CI = 2.80 to 42.38), shifting between tasks (OR = 10.71; 95% CI = 3.62 to 31.74), and following written instructions (OR = 9.96; 95% CI = 2.65 to 37.41). Conclusion: Findings identified problematic work tasks involving major domains of cognitive function.