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Willis KD, Reid MP, Fox A, Kleva CS, Sherwood P, Loughan AR. The impact of a primary brain tumor diagnosis on caregivers: Insights from the patients' perspective. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:595. [PMID: 39160352 PMCID: PMC11333512 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08783-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The diagnosis of a primary brain tumor (PBT) causes significant distress for the caregiver-patient dyad, warranting increased supportive care intervention. Although researchers have previously assessed caregivers' perceptions of their own supportive care needs, no study to date has identified how patients perceive the caregiving experience and/or patients' recommendations for integrating supportive care of caregivers in neuro-oncology. This qualitative study examined caregiver distress as well as caregiver supportive care needs from the patients' perspective to inform future intervention development. METHODS Adults with PBT (N = 15; Mage = 45; 53% female; 93% White) were divided into four, 90-min focus groups moderated by a clinical neuropsychologist. Patients responded to semi-structured interview questions regarding various supportive care needs throughout the course of disease. Each discussion was transcribed and coded using thematic content analysis and NVivo software. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (MKappa = 0.92, range = 0.85-0.93). RESULTS Seven distinct codes related to PBT caregivers emerged and were classified into two broader themes: Caregiver Impact (47% of coded content) and Caregiver Support (53% of coded content). Caregiver Impact refers to patients' perspective of the practical and emotional demands of caregiving. Under Caregiver Support, patients cited a strong need for increased support of caregivers, including bereavement care, individual psychotherapy, and joint caregiver-patient dyad sessions. CONCLUSION Patients with PBT expressed profound concerns regarding the demands of caregiving and its impact on the well-being of their loved ones. Findings emphasize the need for comprehensive dyadic support in neuro-oncology throughout the disease trajectory to enhance the overall quality-of-life for both patients and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelcie D Willis
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Morgan P Reid
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Amber Fox
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Christopher S Kleva
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Paula Sherwood
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ashlee R Loughan
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, VCU School of Medicine, 1201 East Marshall St, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
- Massey Cancer Center, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Hudson EM, Noutch S, Webster J, Brown SR, Boele FW, Al-Salihi O, Baines H, Bulbeck H, Currie S, Fernandez S, Hughes J, Lilley J, Smith A, Parbutt C, Slevin F, Short S, Sebag-Montefiore D, Murray L. Brain Re-Irradiation Or Chemotherapy: a phase II randomised trial of re-irradiation and chemotherapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (BRIOChe) - protocol for a multi-centre open-label randomised trial. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078926. [PMID: 38458809 PMCID: PMC11145639 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common adult primary malignant brain tumour. The condition is incurable and, despite aggressive treatment at first presentation, almost all tumours recur after a median of 7 months. The aim of treatment at recurrence is to prolong survival and maintain health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Chemotherapy is typically employed for recurrent GBM, often using nitrosourea-based regimens. However, efficacy is limited, with reported median survivals between 5 and 9 months from recurrence. Although less commonly used in the UK, there is growing evidence that re-irradiation may produce survival outcomes at least similar to nitrosourea-based chemotherapy. However, there remains uncertainty as to the optimum approach and there is a paucity of available data, especially with regards to HRQoL. Brain Re-Irradiation Or Chemotherapy (BRIOChe) aims to assess re-irradiation, as an acceptable treatment option for recurrent IDH-wild-type GBM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS BRIOChe is a phase II, multi-centre, open-label, randomised trial in patients with recurrent GBM. The trial uses Sargent's three-outcome design and will recruit approximately 55 participants from 10 to 15 UK radiotherapy sites, allocated (2:1) to receive re-irradiation (35 Gy in 10 daily fractions) or nitrosourea-based chemotherapy (up to six, 6-weekly cycles). The primary endpoint is overall survival rate for re-irradiation patients at 9 months. There will be no formal statistical comparison between treatment arms for the decision-making primary analysis. The chemotherapy arm will be used for calibration purposes, to collect concurrent data to aid interpretation of results. Secondary outcomes include HRQoL, dexamethasone requirement, anti-epileptic drug requirement, radiological response, treatment compliance, acute and late toxicities, progression-free survival. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION BRIOChe obtained ethical approval from Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland (reference no. 20/NI/0070). Final trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and adhere to the ICMJE guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN60524.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor M Hudson
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Samantha Noutch
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Joanne Webster
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah R Brown
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Florien W Boele
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Helen Baines
- National Radiotherapy Trials QA (RTTQA) Group, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, UK
| | | | - Stuart Currie
- Department of Radiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | - Sharon Fernandez
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jane Hughes
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - John Lilley
- Department of Medical Physics, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - Alexandra Smith
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Finbar Slevin
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - Susan Short
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Louise Murray
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds, UK
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Boele FW, Rooney AG, Bulbeck H, Sherwood P. Interventions to help support caregivers of people with a brain or spinal cord tumour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 7:CD012582. [PMID: 31264707 PMCID: PMC6604115 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012582.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of a brain or spinal cord tumour can have a huge impact on the lives of patients and their families with family caregiving often resulting in considerable burden and distress. Meeting the support needs of family caregivers is critical to maintain their emotional and physical health. Although support for caregivers is becoming more widely available, large-scale implementation is hindered by a lack of high-quality evidence for its effectiveness in the neuro-oncology caregiver population. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of supportive interventions at improving the well-being of caregivers of people with a brain or spinal cord tumour. To assess the effects of supportive interventions for caregivers in improving the physical and emotional well-being of people with a brain or spinal cord tumour and to evaluate the health economic benefits of supportive interventions for caregivers. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 7), MEDLINE via Ovid, and Embase via Ovid. We also handsearched relevant published conference abstracts (previous five years), publications in the two main journals in the field (previous year), searched for ongoing trials via ClinicalTrials.gov, and contacted research groups in the field. The initial search was in March 2017 with an update in August 2018 (handsearches completed in January 2019). SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where caregivers of neuro-oncology patients constituted more than 20% of the sample and which evaluated changes in caregiver well-being following any supportive intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently selected studies and carried out risk of bias assessments. We aimed to extract data on the outcomes of psychological distress, burden, mastery, quality of patient-caregiver relationship, quality of life, and physical functioning. MAIN RESULTS In total, the search identified 2102 records, of which we reviewed 144 in full text. We included eight studies. Four interventions focused on patient-caregiver dyads and four were aimed specifically at the caregiver. Heterogeneity of populations and methodologies precluded meta-analysis. Risk of bias varied, and all studies included only small numbers of neuro-oncology caregivers (13 to 56 participants). There was some evidence for positive effects of caregiver support on psychological distress, mastery, and quality of life (low to very low certainty of evidence). No studies reported significant effects on caregiver burden or quality of patient-caregiver relationship (low to very low certainty of evidence). None of the studies assessed caregiver physical functioning. For secondary outcomes (patient emotional or physical well-being; health economic effects), we found very little to no evidence for the effectiveness of caregiver support. We identified five ongoing trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The eight small-scale studies included employed different methodologies across different populations, with low certainty of evidence overall. It is not currently possible to draw reliable conclusions regarding the effectiveness of supportive interventions aimed at improving neuro-oncology caregiver well-being. More high-quality research is needed on support for family caregivers of people diagnosed, and living, with a brain or spinal cord tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florien W Boele
- University of Leeds and Leeds Cancer CentreLeeds Institute of Health Sciences and Leeds Institute of Cancer and PathologyPOG, Level 3, Bexley WingSt James's Institute of OncologyLeedsUKLS9 7TF
| | - Alasdair G Rooney
- Edinburgh Centre for Neuro‐Oncology (ECNO)Department of Psychological MedicineWestern General HospitalCrewe Road SouthEdinburghScotlandUKEH4 2XU
| | - Helen Bulbeck
- brainstrustDirector of Services4 Yvery CourtCastle RoadCowesIsle of WightUKPO31 7QG
| | - Paula Sherwood
- University of PittsburghDepartment of Acute and Tertiary Care336 Victoria Building3500 Victoria StreetPittsburghMAUSA15261
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Boele FW, Bulbeck H, Browne C, Rooney AG, Sherwood P. Interventions to help support caregivers of people with a brain or spinal cord tumour. Hippokratia 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Florien W Boele
- University of Leeds and Leeds Cancer Centre; Leeds Institute of Health Sciences and Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology; POG, Level 3, Bexley Wing St James's Institute of Oncology Leeds UK LS9 7TF
| | - Helen Bulbeck
- brainstrust; Director of Services; 4 Yvery Court Castle Road Cowes Isle of Wight UK PO31 7QG
| | - Catherine Browne
- Institute of Technology; Health and Social Sciences; North Campus Dromtracker, Tralee County Kerry Ireland
| | - Alasdair G Rooney
- Edinburgh Centre for Neuro-Oncology (ECNO); Department of Psychological Medicine; Western General Hospital Crewe Road South Edinburgh Scotland UK EH4 2XU
| | - Paula Sherwood
- University of Pittsburgh; Department of Acute and Tertiary Care; 336 Victoria Building 3500 Victoria Street Pittsburgh USA 15261
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