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van der Linden SD, Rutten GJM, Dirven L, Taphoorn MJB, Satoer DD, Dirven CMF, Sitskoorn MM, Gehring K. eHealth cognitive rehabilitation for brain tumor patients: results of a randomized controlled trial. J Neurooncol 2021; 154:315-326. [PMID: 34487313 PMCID: PMC8484142 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-021-03828-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation programs for brain tumor patients are not widely available, despite the high need. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a tablet-based cognitive rehabilitation program on cognitive performance, cognitive complaints, fatigue, and psychological distress in primary brain tumor patients following neurosurgery. Also, attrition, adherence and patient satisfaction with the program were evaluated. METHODS Adults with presumed low-grade glioma and meningioma were recruited before surgery. Three months thereafter, participants were allocated to the intervention group or waiting-list control group using minimization. The 10-week eHealth app ReMind, based on the effective face-to-face intervention, consisted of psychoeducation, strategy-training and attention retraining. Performance-based cognitive outcomes and patient-reported outcomes were assessed before surgery and 3, 6 and 12 months thereafter. Mean scores, percentages of cognitively impaired individuals and reliable change indices (RCIs) were compared between groups. RESULTS Sixty-two out of 183 eligible patients were randomized. Of the people who declined, 56% reported that participation would to be too burdensome. All participants found a tablet-app suitable for delivery of cognitive rehabilitation and 90% rated the program as "good" or "excellent". Performance-based cognitive outcomes and patient-reported outcomes did not significantly differ in group means over time nor RCIs between the intervention (final n = 20) and control group (final n = 25). CONCLUSIONS Recruitment at this early stage was difficult, resulting in limited statistical power. No significant effects were demonstrated, while adherence and satisfaction with the eHealth program were good. In clinical practice, ReMind may be helpful, if timing would be adapted to patients' needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie D van der Linden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands.,Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Room S219, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan M Rutten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Linda Dirven
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Martin J B Taphoorn
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Djaina D Satoer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Clemens M F Dirven
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Margriet M Sitskoorn
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Room S219, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Karin Gehring
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands. .,Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Room S219, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
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Gosselt IK, Scheepers VPM, Spreij LA, Visser-Meily JMA, Nijboer TCW. Cognitive complaints in brain tumor patients and their relatives' perspectives. Neurooncol Pract 2020; 8:160-170. [PMID: 33898049 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npaa078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive deficits have been frequently assessed in brain tumor patients. However, self-reported cognitive complaints have received little attention so far. Cognitive complaints are important as they often interfere with participation in society. In this study, cognitive complaints were systematically assessed in brain tumor patients. As patients' experiences and relatives' estimations may vary, the level of agreement was investigated. Methods Brain tumor outpatients (n = 47) and relatives (n = 42) completed the inventory Cognitive Complaints-Participation, assessing cognitive complaints across 10 daily life activities and cognitive domains (total, memory, executive, attention). Cognitive complaints scores were compared between patients with different clinical characteristics (tumor type, number of treatments, the absence/presence of epilepsy). Complaints difference scores in patient-relative pairs were calculated to explore the level of agreement using intraclass correlations (ICC). Furthermore, we explored whether the level of agreement was related to (1) the magnitude of cognitive complaints in patient-relative pairs and (2) patients' cognitive functioning (assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment). Results Patients and relatives reported most cognitive complaints during work/education (100%) and social contacts (88.1%). Patients with different clinical characteristics reported comparable cognitive complaints scores. Overall, the level of agreement in patient-relative pairs was moderate-good (ICC 0.73-0.86). Although in 24% of the pairs, there was a substantial disagreement. The level of agreement was not related to the magnitude of complaints in patient-relative pairs or patients' cognitive functioning. Conclusion Both the perspectives of brain tumor patients and their relatives' on cognitive complaints are important. Clinicians could encourage communication to reach mutual understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel K Gosselt
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Vera P M Scheepers
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lauriane A Spreij
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja C W Nijboer
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Silvaggi F, Leonardi M, Raggi A, Eigenmann M, Mariniello A, Silvani A, Lamperti E, Schiavolin S. Employment and Work Ability of Persons With Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:571191. [PMID: 33192403 PMCID: PMC7658191 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.571191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors (BT) are between the eight most common cancers among persons aged 40 years, with an average survival time of 10 years for patients affected by non-malignant brain tumor. Some patients continue to work, reporting difficulties in work-related activities, or even job loss. The purpose of the present study was to review the existing information about the ability people with BT to return to work and to identify factors associated with job loss. We performed a systematic review on SCOPUS and EMBASE for peer-reviewed papers that reported studies assessing work ability in patients with BT that were published in the period from January 2010 to January 2020. Out of 800 identified records, 7 articles were selected for analysis, in which 1,507 participants with BT were enrolled overall. Three main themes emerged: the impact of neuropsychological functioning on work productivity, the change of employment status for long-term survivors and issues related to return to work processes. Based on the results of selected studies, it can be concluded that the impact of BT on workforce participation is determined by depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits, as well as by high short-term mortality but also on environmental barriers. Vocational Rehabilitation programs should be implemented to help patients wishing to return to or maintain their current work, as much as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Silvaggi
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Salute Pubblica, Disabilità, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Matilde Leonardi
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Salute Pubblica, Disabilità, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Raggi
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Salute Pubblica, Disabilità, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Eigenmann
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Salute Pubblica, Disabilità, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Mariniello
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Salute Pubblica, Disabilità, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Silvani
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia 2 – Neuro-Oncologia Clinica, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Lamperti
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia 2 – Neuro-Oncologia Clinica, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Schiavolin
- Unità Operativa Complessa Neurologia, Salute Pubblica, Disabilità, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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Boele FW, Meads D, Jansen F, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Heimans JJ, Reijneveld JC, Short SC, Klein M. Healthcare utilization and productivity loss in glioma patients and family caregivers: the impact of treatable psychological symptoms. J Neurooncol 2020; 147:485-494. [PMID: 32172441 PMCID: PMC7136180 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03454-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Gliomas are associated with significant healthcare burden, yet reports of costs are scarce. While many costs are unavoidable there may be treatable symptoms contributing to higher costs. We describe healthcare and societal costs in glioma patients at high risk for depression and their family caregivers, and explore relationships between costs and treatable symptoms. Methods Data from a multicenter randomized trial on effects of internet-based therapy for depressive symptoms were used (NTR3223). Costs of self-reported healthcare utilization, medication use, and productivity loss were calculated for patients and caregivers separately. We used generalized linear regression models to predict costs with depressive symptoms, fatigue, cognitive complaints, tumor grade (low-/high-grade), disease status (stable or active/progression), and intervention (use/non-use) as predictors. Results Multiple assessments from baseline through 12 months from 91 glioma patients and 46 caregivers were used. Mean overall costs per year were M = €20,587.53 (sd = €30,910.53) for patients and M = €5,581.49 (sd = €13,102.82) for caregivers. In patients, higher healthcare utilization costs were associated with more depressive symptoms; higher medication costs were associated with active/progressive disease. In caregivers, higher overall costs were linked with increased caregiver fatigue, cognitive complaints, and lower patient tumor grade. Higher healthcare utilization costs were related to more cognitive complaints and lower tumor grade. More productivity loss costs were associated with increased fatigue (all P < 0.05). Conclusions There are substantial healthcare and societal costs for glioma patients and caregivers. Associations between costs and treatable psychological symptoms indicate that possibly, adequate support could decrease costs. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register NTR3223.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florien W Boele
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK. .,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - David Meads
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Femke Jansen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Clinical Psychology, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Clinical Psychology, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Heimans
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap C Reijneveld
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susan C Short
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Martin Klein
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Assessment of Executive Functioning in Patients with Meningioma and Low-Grade Glioma: A Comparison of Self-Report, Proxy-Report, and Test Performance. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2020; 26:187-196. [PMID: 31699166 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617719001164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine: (1) patient-proxy agreement on executive functioning (EF) of patients with primary brain tumors, (2) the relationships between patient- and proxy-report with performance-based measures of EF, and (3) the potential influence of performance-based measures on the level of agreement. METHODS Meningioma and low-grade glioma patients and their informal caregivers completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A) 3 months after surgery. The two index scores of the BRIEF-A, Behavioral Regulation and Metacognition, were evaluated. Mean scores of patients and proxies were compared with normative values and with each other. Patient-proxy agreement was evaluated with Lin's concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) and Bland-Altman plots. Pearson correlation coefficients between reported EF and performance-based measures of EF were calculated. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the potential influence of test performance on differences in dyadic reports. RESULTS A total of 47 dyads were included. Patients reported significantly more problems on the Metacognition Index compared to norms, and also in comparison with their proxies. Effect sizes indicated small differences. Moderate to substantial agreement was observed between patients and proxies, with CCCs of 0.57 and 0.61 for Metacognition and Behavioral Regulation, respectively. Correlations between reported EF and test performance ranged between -0.37 and 0.10. Dyadic agreement was not significantly influenced by test performance. CONCLUSIONS Patient-proxy agreement was found to be moderate. No clear associations were found between reported EF and test performance. Future studies should further explore the existing and new methods to assess everyday EF in brain tumor patients.
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Abstract
Survivorship has become a significant topic within oncologic care. The tools and means by which the provision of survivorship care can be implemented and delivered are in development and are the focus of significant research oncology-wide. These tools and methods include innovations of survivorship care delivery, survivorship care plans, and improving communication among all stakeholders in an individual patient's care as the means to elevate health-related quality of life. The merits of these survivorship care provisions in the field of neuro-oncology and its patients' exigent need for more patient-centric care focused on living with their illness are discussed. Since 2014 there has been a mandate within the United States for adult cancer patients treated with curative intent to receive survivorship care plans, comprising a treatment summary and a follow-up plan, intended to facilitate patients' care after initial diagnosis and upfront treatment. Several cancer-specific survivorship care plans have been developed and endorsed by health care professional organizations and patient advocacy groups. A survivorship care plan specific for neuro-oncology has been collaboratively developed by a multidisciplinary and interprofessional committee; it is endorsed by the Society for Neuro-Oncology Guidelines Committee. It is available as open access for download from the Society for Neuro-Oncology website under "Resources": https://www.soc-neuro-onc.org/SNO/Resources/Survivorship_Care_Plan.aspx. Survivorship care offers an opportunity to begin directly addressing the range of issues patients navigate throughout their illness trajectory, an oncology initiative to which neuro-oncology patients both need and deserve equitable access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Leeper
- Department of Neurology, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Kathrin Milbury
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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de Jong M, Tamminga SJ, van Es RJJ, Frings-Dresen MHW, de Boer AGEM. The quality of working life questionnaire for cancer survivors (QWLQ-CS): factorial structure, internal consistency, construct validity and reproducibility. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:66. [PMID: 29321006 PMCID: PMC5763640 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3966-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To assess the factorial structure, internal consistency, construct validity and reproducibility of the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS). Methods An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed on QWLQ-CS data from a sample of employed cancer survivors to establish the final number of items and factorial structure of the QWLQ-CS. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. In a second sample of (self-)employed cancer survivors, construct validity was tested by convergent validity (correlations of QWLQ-CS with construct-related questionnaires), and discriminative validity (difference in QWLQ-CS scores between cancer survivors and employed people without cancer). In a subgroup of stable cancer survivors subtracted from the second sample, reproducibility was evaluated by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM). Results EFA on QWLQ-CS data of 302 cancer survivors resulted in 23 items and five factors. The internal consistency of the QWLQ-CS was Cronbach’s α = 0.91. Convergent validity on data of 130 cancer survivors resulted in r = 0.61–0.70. QWLQ-CS scores of these cancer survivors statistically differed (p = 0.04) from employed people without cancer (N = 45). Reproducibility of QWLQ-CS data from 87 cancer survivors demonstrated an ICC of 0.84 and a SEM of 9.59. Conclusions The five-factor QWLQ-CS with 23 items and adequate internal consistency, construct validity, and reproducibility at group level can be used in clinical and occupational healthcare, and research settings. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3966-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel de Jong
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Academic Medical Center, P.O. box 22660, 1100, DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sietske J Tamminga
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Academic Medical Center, P.O. box 22660, 1100, DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert J J van Es
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, UMC Utrecht Cancer Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Monique H W Frings-Dresen
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Academic Medical Center, P.O. box 22660, 1100, DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Angela G E M de Boer
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Academic Medical Center, P.O. box 22660, 1100, DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Association between psychological distress, subjective cognitive complaints and objective neuropsychological functioning in brain tumor patients. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2017; 163:18-23. [PMID: 29035741 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Psychological distress and cognitive impairment are common complications in patients with brain tumors that are associated with poor quality of life and worse prognosis. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the associations between psychological distress, subjective cognitive complaints and baseline neuropsychological performance of brain tumor patients before neurosurgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-two patients with various brain tumors referred for routine neuropsychological assessment 2-3days before neurosurgery participated in the study. Short neuropsychological assessment battery was used to evaluate attention and executive functions, memory and verbal fluency. Presence of cognitive complaints was evaluated during neuropsychological interview using standardized symptoms checklist. Level of psychological distress was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS Various attention and executive function problems were reported by 13-58% patients; memory problems by 8-63%; language problems by 10-58% of patients. 36-57% of patients scored below 5th percentile on objective memory measures; 32-45% on attention measures and 11-27% on verbal fluency. However, correlation between objective neuropsychological findings and subjective cognitive complaints was weak, ranging from 0.0 to 0.3. 45% of patients met criteria for increased psychological distress. Psychological distress was associated with subjective cognitive complaints but failed to predict objective neuropsychological findings. Brain tumor histological diagnosis, side and location were not related to neuropsychological functioning. CONCLUSION Cognitive impairment and psychological distress are highly prevalent in BT patients before neurosurgery. Although depression and distress may adversely impact quality of life and prognosis of BT patients, our current findings do not confirm that distress has strong negative impact on objective preoperative cognitive functioning. However, it is related to worse subjective evaluation of one's cognitive abilities. Therefore, objective neuropsychological assessment of cognitive functions is highly recommended despite concern.
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de Jong M, Tamminga SJ, de Boer AGEM, Frings-Dresen MHW. The Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS): a Pre-test Study. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:194. [PMID: 27250336 PMCID: PMC4890330 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Returning to and continuing work is important to many cancer survivors, but also represents a challenge. We know little about subjective work outcomes and how cancer survivors perceive being returned to work. Therefore, we developed the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors (QWLQ-CS). Our aim was to pre-test the items of the initial QWLQ-CS on acceptability and comprehensiveness. In addition, item retention was performed by pre-assessing the relevance scores and response distributions of the items in the QWLQ-CS. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted after cancer survivors, who had returned to work, filled in the 102 items of the QWLQ-CS. To improve acceptability and comprehensiveness, the semi-structured interview inquired about items that were annoying, difficult, confusing, twofold or redundant. If cancer survivors had difficulty explaining their opinion or emotion about an item, the interviewer used verbal probing technique to investigate the cancer survivor’s underlying thoughts. The cancer survivors’ comments on the items were analysed, and items were revised accordingly. Decisions on item retention regarding the relevance of items and the response distributions were made by means of pre-set decision rules. Results The 19 cancer survivors (53 % male) had a mean age of 51 ± 11 years old. They were diagnosed between 2009 and 2013 with lymphoma, leukaemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, or colon cancer. Acceptability of the QWLQ-CS was good - none of the items were annoying - but 73 items were considered difficult, confusing, twofold or redundant. To improve acceptability, for instance, the authors replaced the phrase ‘disease’ with ‘health situation’ in several items. Consequently, comprehensiveness was improved by the authors rephrasing and adjusting items by adding clarifying words, such as ‘in the work situation’. The pre-assessment of the relevance scores resulted in a sufficient number of cancer survivors indicating the items as relevant to their quality of working life, and no evident indication for uneven response distributions. Therefore, all items were retained. Conclusions The 104 items of the preliminary QWLQ-CS were found relevant, acceptable and comprehensible by cancer survivors who have returned to work. The QWLQ-CS is now suitable for larger sample sizes of cancer survivors, which is necessary to test the psychometric properties of this questionnaire. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1440-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel de Jong
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Sietske J Tamminga
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Angela G E M de Boer
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monique H W Frings-Dresen
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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