Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the acceptability and feasibility of Cognitive Strategies, Mindfulness, and Rehabilitation Therapy (C-SMART) and Brain health Education and Wellness (BE Well) in adults with brain tumors and their caregivers.
Participants will be assigned to one of the two groups:
- Cognitive Strategies, Mindfulness, and Rehabilitation Therapy (C-SMART) is a recently developed virtual intervention combining both cognitive rehabilitation with mindfulness meditation training. The manualized program consists of 8 weekly 1:1 tele intervention sessions, targeting cognitive weaknesses identified from baseline cognitive testing.
- Brain health Education and Wellness (BE Well) intervention consists of 8 weekly videos focused on maximizing brain health in the context of brain tumor.
Participants will also be asked to:
- participate in two in-person visits involving an MRI and neurocognitive tests
- complete a survey the the beginning and end of the study
- if in BE Well group, answer a few questions after watching each video
Eligibility
Patient Inclusion Criteria:
- Patient of Virginia Commonwealth University Neuro-Oncology clinic
- Confirmed primary brain tumor diagnosis by histology or neuro-oncologist review of imaging
- At least one domain of neurocognitive function \>1.5 SD below the average or the individual's estimated premorbid functioning, using the expanded International Cognition and Cancer Task Force (ICCTF) clinical trials battery and Test of Premorbid Functioning62 for comparison; (3) \>1 month post brain surgery and/or radiation therapy, if applicable;
- Estimated premorbid intelligence \>75.
- Patients must be age 18+ and
- Primarily English speaking.
Patient Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of major neurocognitive impairment that would prevent participation in the intervention, and/or severe aphasia, and/or inability to understand and provide informed consent
- Inability to attend weekly telehealth appointments
- Clinically significant insomnia symptoms coupled with report that insomnia is more interfering than cognitive symptoms
- \< 1 month post brain surgery and/or radiation therapy
- Unstable internet connection or an inability to work teleconferencing software. Participants will be supplied an iPad if they do not have an adequate device.
- Participants cannot have metal in their body as the MRI scan could cause them harm
- If female of childbearing years, they cannot be pregnant as the MRI scan may pose risk to the unborn fetus
Caregiver Inclusion Criteria
- Must enroll with a patient (see criteria above)
- Must be age 18+ and
- Primarily English speaking
Caregiver Exclusion Criteria
-N/A
