None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive assessment tool for brain cancer patients. The study will examine if the tool is acceptable to patients and health professionals and could be included in routine health care practices. The study will also look at the relationship between cognitive decline in patients, hospital use, and the impact on caregivers. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with Brain cancer (Glioma/Glioblastoma) Study details This study will involve a questionnaire about cognitive function. Participants will write down their responses to the verbal questions. The questionnaire will be administered two or three times during the study at regular clinic visits. Carers can also answer questions about their experiences caring for someone with brain cancer. It is hoped this study can provide greater insight to the cognitive challenges of people with brain cancer and the experiences of their carers. The information gathered in this study will help inform future studies regarding the acceptability of the screening tools. Hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Patients will report the ARCS tool is acceptable (i.e. over 75% of patients will report willingness to complete a similar test in the future), and will record assessment completion rates over 90% at both time-points. Hypothesis 2: A high proportion of participants (>60%) will show cognitive decline over time as measured by changes in ARCS scores between at least two measurement time points. Hypothesis 3: An ARCS score of or below 78 (-1.5 standard deviations below normative value) and subsequent decline between two measurement time points will be significantly associated with decreased survival at 6-months. Hypothesis 4: An ARCS score of or below 78 (-1.5 standard deviations below normative value) and subsequent decline between two measurement time points will be significantly associated with increased logistic odds of hospitalisation at 6-months. Hypothesis 5: An ARCS score of or below 78 (-1.5 standard deviations below normative value) and subsequent decline between two measurement time points will be significantly associated with survival at 6-months. Hypothesis 6: ARCS score of or below 78 at either time point will significantly correspond with caregiver burden as measured by the Zarit Burden Interview Short Version. This will be mediated by caregiver competency as measured by Caregiver Mastery Scale. Hypothesis 6: ARCS score of or below 78 at either time point will significantly correspond with caregiver burden as measured by using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment. This will be mediated by caregiver competency as measured by Caregiver Mastery Scale.
Interventions
As cancer progression is almost inevitable in High-Grade Gliomas (HGG), both patients and their informal caregivers have little time for adaptation to these neurological deficits and with these deficits often rapidly worsening with disease progression. Assessment of patients by their multidisciplinary health care team can help detect and address neurological and cognitive deficits. However, healthcare professionals’ time and resources are limited to complete conventional neuropsychological testi
As cancer progression is almost inevitable in High-Grade Gliomas (HGG), both patients and their informal caregivers have little time for adaptation to these neurological deficits and with these deficits often rapidly worsening with disease progression. Assessment of patients by their multidisciplinary health care team can help detect and address neurological and cognitive deficits. However, healthcare professionals’ time and resources are limited to complete conventional neuropsychological testing which typically requires one to two hours. To correctly identify and respond to cognitive deficits, a simple and brief assessment process is urgently needed. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a simple, cost-effective and validated, self-administered cognitive assessment Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen (ARCS; www.cognitionhealth.com) for use with brain cancer patients. Brain cancer patients’ cognitive function will be assessed at two to three critical time-points in treatment using ARCS in clinic settings. The study will examine the association between cognitive impairment in patients and the need for hospitalisation and overall survival. Associations between cognitive impairment in patients with caregiver burden and mastery will also be assessed as a secondary study aim. ARCS is administered to unsupervised patients via an audio device, with questions completed using pen and paper. The ARCS screening assessment consists of items that tests memory, verbal fluency, language, attention and visuospatial function. The screening is focused on cognition. Brief questions about the screening tool acceptability (such as instructions) are completed by participants immediately after ARCS. On average, the test requires approximately 34 minutes to complete and participants’ score are minimally impacted by writing speed, hearing difficulties, or difficulties with survey instructions. The scoring will completed by cancer care coordinators using a customised Excel spreadsheet that provides both domain and global scores that are adjusted according to respondents’ age, gender, and education. The average amount of time to complete scoring is approximately 4 minutes. Once scaled, a score of 100 is considered normal cognition; a score of 78 (-1.5 standard deviations) suggests cognitive deficit and warrants clinical concern. The screening tool will only be administered to patients at the practice who are participating in the study – individuals must meet the eligibility criteria and have interaction with cancer care coordinators who administer the tool. This may not be all newly diagnosed patients within the service.
Sponsors
University of Newcastle
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Patients: 1. Aged 18 years or older 2. Have received a confirmed diagnosis of low- or high- grade glioma or glioblastoma 4. Have at least two appointments within a six-month time frame at the study site(s) 5. English proficient For patients interested in the study, members of the participant’s healthcare team will make a decision with the patient using their best professional judgement about the patient’s capacity to give free and informed consent to this study. Caregivers: A caregiver does not need to consent to participate for a patient to participate. These participants must be: 1. Aged 18 years or older 2. English Proficient 3. Be planning to attend at least two subsequent appointments in a six-month time frame at the study site(s) with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of low- or high- grade glioma or glioblastoma No criteria regarding relationship type (ie: spouse, sibling, adult child) is included. In order for caregivers to participate, a patient must also participate.
Exclusion criteria
1. Under the age of 18 years 2. Not English Proficient 3. Cognition is too poor to provide informed consent as deemed by patient’s health care team 4. No confirmed diagnosis
Outcome results
None listed