Counseling for Brain Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how virtual counseling sessions can improve the quality of life for people with brain tumors. Participants will engage in online behavioral health sessions and complete quality of life questionnaires alongside their regular medical treatment. It targets individuals diagnosed with a brain tumor who are scheduled for a craniotomy (a type of surgery to remove tumors) but have not yet undergone major surgery. The goal is to determine if these virtual sessions can improve patients' well-being during their treatment journey. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance patient care.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does allow participants to continue taking anti-depressant medication.
What prior data suggests that these counseling sessions are safe for brain cancer patients?
Research shows that virtual counseling sessions are safe and manageable. Studies have found that these sessions can reduce anxiety and fatigue in cancer patients. For instance, one study found that patients using virtual reality therapy felt less anxious than those receiving regular care.
No reports of serious side effects from virtual counseling have emerged, indicating it is a safe option for those considering this treatment. Therefore, for those considering joining a trial with virtual counseling, current evidence supports its safety.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the impact of virtual behavioral health interventions on brain cancer patients. Unlike typical treatments that focus solely on medical and surgical interventions, this approach incorporates counseling sessions and quality of life assessments. These virtual sessions offer a convenient and accessible way for patients to receive psychological support, potentially enhancing their overall well-being during treatment. By evaluating patients at multiple points around their craniotomy, researchers hope to better understand how mental health care can complement traditional brain cancer treatments and improve patient outcomes.
What evidence suggests that virtual behavioral health counseling is effective for brain cancer?
Research has shown that virtual counseling sessions, which participants in this trial will receive, can greatly improve the well-being of brain cancer patients. One study found that patients with glioma (a type of brain tumor) who received cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) experienced significant improvements in their mental health. Another study demonstrated that a specific telehealth program for brain tumor patients led to better health outcomes, indicating that these sessions can enhance quality of life. Additionally, brain tumors often cause changes that affect daily life, and counseling helps manage these challenges effectively. Overall, these findings support the potential benefits of counseling alongside standard treatments for brain cancer.36789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Shawn Hervey-Jumper, MD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over 18 with a brain tumor diagnosis, who haven't had surgery except biopsy, and are scheduled for craniotomy. They must understand the study and consent to participate. Those with mild depression symptoms (PHQ-9 score >=5) can join but not if they have severe depression or suicidal thoughts.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-surgical Assessment
Participants complete baseline assessments and engage in virtual counseling sessions before the craniotomy
Post-surgical Follow-up
Participants are assessed 4-6 weeks following surgery with questionnaires and virtual counseling sessions
Long-term Follow-up
Participants are monitored for mental health and quality of life 6-9 months following surgery
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Counseling Sessions
- Quality of Life Questionnaires
Trial Overview
The trial tests virtual counseling sessions alongside standard care for patients undergoing craniotomy due to brain tumors. It's a single-arm feasibility study, meaning all participants receive the same intervention without being compared to another group.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants will be assessed at 3 time points over the course the standard-of-care treatment before and after a scheduled craniotomy. At each time point, the participants will be asked to complete the questionnaires and engage in virtual counseling sessions.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
Clarity Squared Behavioral, Inc
Collaborator
Citations
The impact of cognitive behavioral therapy on disease ...
The study revealed that the group that received CBT showed significant improvements in the psychological well-being of glioma patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Evaluation of the telehealth making sense of brain tumor ...
Hence, the current trial demonstrated that an extended brain‐tumor specific intervention yielded better clinical outcomes for people with PBT than brief ...
A randomized controlled trial of a telehealth group cognitive ...
Cognitive changes are common following primary brain tumor (PBT), impacting employment, independence, relationships, and quality of life (QoL). Despite this, ...
Behavioral Health Evaluation and Intervention Program for ...
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. Determine the feasibility of implementing behavioral health counseling sessions alongside standard of care treatment for brain tumor ...
Full article: Perceived need for and benefits of brain tumour ...
Despite the high proportion of psychologists (84%), only 11% provided extended psychology interventions (i.e., > 5 sessions) for treatment of mental health ...
Feasibility of a virtual reality intervention targeting distress and ...
A virtual reality intervention targeting distress and anxiety symptoms in patients with primary brain tumors: Interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial
Progress to Advance Care, Treatments, and Outcomes for ...
The new multi-institutional Tissue Outcomes Study collects tumor tissue and comprehensive clinical data from deceased patients with rare brain ...
Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality in People with ...
Findings show that virtual reality is effective to reduce anxiety and fatigue in people with cancer undergoing antiblastic therapy.
VR Therapy for Anxiety in Brain Tumor Patients
In a study of 74 cancer patients undergoing treatment, immersive Virtual Reality significantly reduced anxiety and fatigue compared to standard care, with a ...
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