The Structure of the FACT-Cog v3 in Cancer Patients, Students, and Older Adults

ContextThe Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive (FACT-Cog) version 3 questionnaire is designed to assess perceived cognitive function and impact on quality of life in cancer patients.ObjectivesWe examined the factor structure of the FACT-Cog version 3 in samples of cancer patients, older adults, and students.MethodsData from three populations were sourced. Cancer patient data (N = 158) came from two studies, one evaluating a web-based cognitive training program, and the other evaluating symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy. The older adult sample (N = 477) was commercial brain training users in the general population. The student sample (N = 154) came from a study examining the relation between cognitive test performance and perceived cognitive function.ResultsThe patient sample conformed to the traditional four-factor structure (impairments, abilities, noticeability, and quality of life), with some support for separating the broad impairment/ability factors into specific cognitive domains. The older adult sample was best described using both impairments/abilities and specific cognitive domains. The student sample suggested two impairment/ability factors but separation of concentration/acuity and memory/verbal impairment items.ConclusionThe FACT-Cog can be used in populations other than cancer patients, with modifications to the scoring system. Even when used with cancer patients, it is worth considering scoring specific cognitive domains separately.