This study evaluates the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a brief cognitive-behavioural program designed to improve cognitive functioning in people with brain metastases.
Cognitive impairments (such as problems with attention, executive functions, memory and language abilities) are common in people with brain metastases as a result of disease and/or treatment effects. These impairments can significantly limit functional independence, participation in valued roles and activities, and overall quality of life. Building on research in other cognitively-impaired populations, we designed a brief, structured, patient-centered Cognitive Support Program (CSP) for brain metastases patients, who have the option of participating with a caregiver. Program contents include supportive psychoeducation, mindfulness practice, and strategy training (e.g., strategies to improve memory or concentration). This prospective, single-arm study will enroll 24 brain metastases patients to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the CSP. A battery of outcome measures is administered (1) prior to intervention, (2) after completing the CSP, and (3) after an additional 3 months to evaluate longer-term outcomes. Feasibility assessment will include program retention and adherence. Reliable change analyses will examine treatment effects, with regression analyses to explore moderating effects of select patient, disease and treatment factors (e.g., severity of baseline cognitive impairment, number of brain lesions, cranial radiation dose and distribution). Results of this trial will inform further development and implementation of evidence-based supportive care for cognitively-impaired brain metastases patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
Three individual sessions of supportive psychoeducation, mindfulness practice, and strategy training (e.g., strategies to improve memory or concentration), with practice applying program content between sessions.
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive
Multi-domain cognitive symptom questionnaire completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Frontal Systems Behavior Scale
Executive cognitive symptom questionnaire completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised
Neurocognitive test of memory completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Trail Making Test
Neurocognitive test of processing speed and executive function completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Wechsler Digit Span Test
Neurocognitive test of working memory completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
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Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
BADS Zoo Map Test
Neurocognitive test of executive function completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Controlled Oral Word Association Test
Neurocognitive test of verbal fluency completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Brain
Health-related quality of life questionnaire completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule
Quality of life (well-being) questionnaire completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Quality of life (psychological distress) questionnaire completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)
Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale
Quality of life (activity participation) questionnaire completed at each time point. Raw scores are converted to z-scores (M = 0, SD = 1, higher scores = better functioning) according to published criteria, and change from baseline to post-training and to 3-month follow-up calculated by subtraction.
Time frame: Baseline; 2 months (0-2 weeks post-training); 5 months (3 months post-training)