Psychological Intervention For Brain Tumor Caregivers
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study is testing a supportive psychosocial intervention for caregivers of people who have malignant brain tumors such as gliomas or other high-grade primary brain tumors. This study was designed because caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors often experience physical and psychological burdens caring for their loved ones.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether a program offering psychological support can help caregivers learn effective coping methods during their loved one's treatment and make the experience of being a caregiver more manageable.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
This study will be a prospective, randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a caregiver-directed intervention designed to improve anxiety in caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors, in comparison with caregivers who receive usual care.
The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of this intervention in reducing distress in caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors, in comparison with usual care. The study will be conducted in 120 caregivers.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Active Comparator: Usual Care Group 60 Participants will be randomized to receive usual care for caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors Caregivers randomized to the usual care arm will be referred to the brain tumor clinic social worker or other appropriate cancer center resources upon request from the caregiver, patient or clinician Complete 3 questionnaires: Baseline, 11 weeks, 16 weeks |
Behavioral: Usual Care Group
Caregivers randomized to the usual care arm will be referred to the brain tumor clinic social worker or other appropriate cancer center resources upon request from the caregiver, patient or clinician
•Complete 3 questionnaires: Baseline, 11 weeks, 16 weeks
|
| Experimental: Psychosocial Intervention Group 60 Participants of caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors will be randomized into the psychosocial intervention arm Caregivers assigned to the intervention arm will receive usual care and the psychosocial intervention. The intervention entails six one-on-one sessions with an interventionist (psychologist or social worker) Complete 3 questionnaires: Baseline, 11 weeks, 16 weeks |
Behavioral: Psychosocial Intervention Group
The intervention will consist of six one-on-one sessions (45 minutes each). Complete 3 questionnaires: Baseline, 11 weeks, 16 weeks
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Anxiety symptoms [11 weeks]
We will compare anxiety symptoms using the Anxiety Subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) between the intervention and usual care group. The HADS-A is a 7-item subscale with scores ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Anxiety symptoms longitudinally [Up to 16 weeks]
We will compare anxiety symptoms using the Anxiety subscale of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS-A) between the two groups longitudinally. HADS-A is the 7-item anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.
- Self-Efficacy [Up to 16 weeks]
Comparison of the effect of the intervention on caregiver self-efficacy (CASE) between study groups . The Lewis Cancer Self-Efficacy Scale (CASE) is a 17-item scale that measures caregivers' confidence in managing the impact of their loved one's illness from. Score range from 0 to 170. Higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy.
- Coping skills [Up to 16 weeks]
We will compare coping skills between study arms using the Measure of Current Status Part A (MOCS-A). The MOCS-A assesses caregivers' self-perceived status on coping skills targeted by the intervention. Total MOCS-A scores range from 0-52 with higher scores indicating better self-perceived coping skills.
- Quality of life using the Caregiver quality of life oncology questionnaire [Up to 16 weeks]
Comparison of caregiver quality of life (CarGOQoL) between study groups. The CareGiver Oncology QoL questionnaire (CarGOQoL) is a 29-item, well-validated instrument specific to caregivers for patients with cancer, used to measure family caregiver QoL in multiple domains. Overall scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores corresponding to higher quality of life.
- Caregiver burden [Up to 16 weeks]
Comparison of caregiver burden (CRA) between study groups. - Caregiving burden will be measured using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), a 24-item scale measuring caregiving burden with score range of 24-120. Higher scores indicate higher caregiving burden.
- Depression symptoms [Up to 16 weeks]
Comparison of the effect of the intervention on depression symptoms (HADS-D) between study groups. HADS-D is the 7-item depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression.
- PTSD symptoms [Up to 16 weeks]
Comparison of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms between study groups . PTSD symptoms will be measured using the PCL-5, a 20-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0-80; higher scores indicate more severe PTSD symptoms.
Other Outcome Measures
- Intervention Acceptability [11 weeks]
For participants who are assigned to the intervention arm, we will use the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-3), a three-item questionnaire designed to evaluate satisfaction with provision, quality, and outcome of services, to assess participant acceptability of the NeuroCARE intervention. Total scores on the CSQ-3 range from 4-12, with higher numbers indicating a higher level of satisfaction with the services provided.
- Exploratory Moderation Analysis [Up to 16 weeks]
As an exploratory analysis, we will assess whether age, sex, and baseline anxiety moderate the effect of the intervention on caregiver reported outcomes
- Exploratory Causal Mediation Analysis [Up to 16 weeks]
Exploratory causal mediation analysis to explore whether caregiver self-efficacy and coping skills mediate the effect of the intervention on caregiver anxiety symptoms.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Age ≥ 18
-
Identified by study staff, a clinician, self, or a patient with a malignant brain tumor as the patient's primary caregiver
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The patient is receiving care at the MGH Cancer Center
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The patient was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor within the past 6 months
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Able to speak and read in English
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) score ≥5
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Participants may or may not be pregnant.
Exclusion Criteria:
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Deemed inappropriate for the study by the patient's clinician or the study PI
-
Participated in the pilot study of this caregiver intervention (DF/HCC 18-426)
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center | Boston | Massachusetts | United States | 02114 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Conquer Cancer Foundation
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Deborah Forst, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 19-250