Psychologic and neuropsychologic impact of autologous bone marrow transplantation.

PURPOSEThe major purpose of the current study was to evaluate the psychologic and neuropsychologic functioning of patients undergoing treatment with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT).PATIENTS AND METHODSFifty-four patients with hematologic disorders or breast cancer completed a battery of psychologic and neuropsychologic tests before ABMT, at mid-treatment (1 to 3 days following bone marrow reinfusion), and predischarge (within 1 to 2 days before discharge from the hospital).RESULTSAnalysis of pretransplant data showed significantly higher scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) for patients with hematologic disorders as compared with patients with breast cancer. However, no baseline differences on neuropsychologic measures were found when patients were divided into groups based on prior exposure to cranial radiation and/or intrathecal chemotherapy. Serial evaluations at pretransplant, following return of bone marrow, and at predischarge were availa...