NeuroPathways: An Information and Support Intervention for Patients With Malignant Brain Tumors
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
This goal of this study is to test an information and support intervention for patients with malignant (or "high-grade") brain tumors. This study was developed to help patients cope after a brain tumor diagnosis. The main question this study aims to answer is whether this intervention (which includes access to an information guide and one-on-one coaching sessions) is feasible (i.e., possible to carry out) and acceptable (i.e., considered helpful) to patients. Participants will be asked to take part in the coaching sessions, use the guide as desired, and complete a small group of short surveys at three different points in time; some participants will be asked to share feedback via exit interviews.
Description
This study will be a prospective pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, population-specific intervention designed to help patients with recently-diagnosed malignant brain tumors process and cope with their illness. The specific aims are to 1) refine the NeuroPathways intervention based on feedback from an open pilot study (n=up to 10) with exit interviews, 2) evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of NeuroPathways in a pilot randomized controlled trial (n=40), and 3) explore preliminary effects of the intervention on psychological, behav…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 * Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center patient * Within 6 weeks of diagnosis with a primary malignant brain tumor * Able to speak and read in English Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to provide informed consent as assessed by the study team (e.g., due to neurological impairment such as severe cognitive impairment/dementia or moderate-to-severe receptive aphasia) * Deemed inappropriate to approach by patient's oncologist or study PI
Interventions
- BehavioralInformation and Support Intervention
Information guide and four one-on-one coaching sessions
- OtherUsual supportive care
Referral to cancer center supportive care services (e.g., social work) upon request from the patient, caregiver, or clinician
Location
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer CenterBoston, Massachusetts