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Buskbjerg CR, Amidi A, Munk A, Danielsen JT, Henriksen LT, Lukacova S, Haldbo-Classen L, Evald J, Evald L, Lassen-Ramshad Y, Zachariae R, Høyer M, Hasle H, Wu LM. Engaging carers in neuropsychological rehabilitation for brain cancer survivors: The "I'm aware: Patients And Carers Together" (ImPACT) program. Contemp Clin Trials 2024; 138:107419. [PMID: 38142774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a common late effect in child and adult brain cancer survivors (BCS). Still, there is a dearth of research aimed at therapeutic interventions and no standard treatment options for most BCS. OBJECTIVE To describe 1) a novel neuropsychological rehabilitation program for BCS - the "I'm aware: Patients And Carers Together" (ImPACT) program, and 2) two studies that aim to assess the feasibility of the ImPACT program in child and adult BCS, respectively. The program adapts the holistic neuropsychological approach pioneered by Leonard Diller and Yehuda Ben-Yishay to an outpatient setting. METHODS Two feasibility studies are described: 1) A single-armed study with 15 child BCS (10-17 years) (ImPACT Child); and 2) a randomized waitlist-controlled trial with 26 adult BCS (>17 years) (ImPACT Adult). In both studies, patients will undergo an 8-week program together with a cohabiting carer. Primary outcomes (i.e., cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms), and secondary outcomes (i.e., behavioral and psychological symptoms, e.g., quality of life, fatigue) will be assessed at four time points: pre-, mid-, and post intervention, and 8 weeks follow-up. Adult waitlist controls will be assessed at equivalent time points and will be included in the intervention group after all study assessments. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at follow-up. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Results will provide feasibility data in support of future larger scale trials. DISCUSSION The findings could potentially improve the management of cognitive impairment in BCS and transform available services. The program can be delivered in-person or remotely and harnesses existing resources in patients' lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Buskbjerg
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Unit for Psycho-oncology and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A Amidi
- Unit for Psycho-oncology and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A Munk
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Unit for Psycho-oncology and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J T Danielsen
- Unit for Psycho-oncology and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - L T Henriksen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - S Lukacova
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - L Haldbo-Classen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - J Evald
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - L Evald
- Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre & University Research Clinic, Voldbyvej 15, 8450, Hammel, Denmark
| | - Y Lassen-Ramshad
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - R Zachariae
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Unit for Psycho-oncology and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M Høyer
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - H Hasle
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - L M Wu
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Unit for Psycho-oncology and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Iceland.
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Du K, Pan YY, Yan WW. Qualitative descriptive study during the COVID-19 pandemic on the needs of informal caregivers of Chinese minors who underwent craniopharyngioma surgery. J Pediatr Nurs 2023; 68:e87-e95. [PMID: 36437132 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the needs of informal caregivers during the long-term health management of minors who have undergone craniopharyngioma surgery. Design and methodology This is a qualitative and descriptive research study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the needs of 21 informal caregivers for postoperative minors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the respondents were provided with the options of online video call or offline one-on-one interviews. Following this, a content analysis method was conducted. RESULTS Four themes and 14 sub-themes were extracted from the results of the study, including needs for relieving psychological stress (including psychological pressure on both minors and on caregivers); requirement for on-campus assistance (physical activity, eliminating verbal violence in schools, special education needs for child, healthcare services provided by school hospitals); demands for medical help (acquiring medical knowledge, need for medication management, convenience and reliable access to medical services, need for technological development, expectations of multidisciplinary cooperation, the necessity of health review reminders); and the desire for financial aid (charity platform assistance, inclination of government policy). CONCLUSIONS In China, informal caregivers of young patients with onset craniopharyngioma require both the multidisciplinary cooperation of medical institutions and the multi-departmental cooperation of society. Information and medical technology advancements may benefit families with young patients. Improving community hospitals' medical services and encouraging the practical use of online medical treatment and prescriptions are both necessary in the context of COVID-19. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS By identifying the needs of informal caregivers, medical professionals are able to develop care plans and interventions aimed at reducing the burden of care for minors who have undergone craniopharyngioma surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Du
- Emergency Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuan Yuan Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Wen Wen Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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