NeuroCARE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psychological Intervention for Caregivers of Patients With Primary Malignant Brain Tumors.

Purpose: Caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) experience significant psychological distress. We assessed the effect of a psychological intervention (NeuroCARE) on anxiety symptoms among PMBT caregivers.

Methods: We conducted a randomized trial of NeuroCARE versus usual care in PMBT caregivers with elevated anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score ≥5) within 6 months of the patient's diagnosis.

The impact of a primary brain tumor diagnosis on caregivers: Insights from the patients' perspective.

Purpose: The diagnosis of a primary brain tumor (PBT) causes significant distress for the caregiver-patient dyad, warranting increased supportive care intervention. Although researchers have previously assessed caregivers' perceptions of their own supportive care needs, no study to date has identified how patients perceive the caregiving experience and/or patients' recommendations for integrating supportive care of caregivers in neuro-oncology. This qualitative study examined caregiver distress as well as caregiver supportive care needs from the patients' perspective to inform future intervention development.

Primary brain tumor representation in the post-traumatic growth literature: A scoping review.

Background: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) has been extensively explored within general oncology, yet little is known about the experience of PTG in neuro-oncology. This study aimed to determine the representation of patients with primary brain tumors (PBT) in the PTG literature.

Methods: PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL were systematically searched from inception to December 2022.

Telehealth group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in primary brain tumor: Primary outcomes from a single-arm phase II feasibility and proof-of-concept trial.

Background: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the frontline treatment for insomnia, has yet to be evaluated among patients with primary brain tumors (PwPBT) despite high prevalence of sleep disturbance in this population. This study aimed to be the first to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of implementing telehealth group CBT-I as well as assessing preliminary changes in subjective sleep metrics in PwPBT from baseline to follow-up.

Methods: Adult PwPBT were recruited to participate in six 90-min telehealth group CBT-I sessions.

Closing the Caregiving Gap: Considerations for Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancer Caregivers.

Family caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer face immense practical challenges and high emotional burden; they lack tailored support. Investigators advocate for more research, supportive interventions, and policy changes.

Study protocol for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in patients with primary brain tumor: A single-arm phase 2a proof-of-concept trial.

Background: Sleep disturbance is among the most common symptoms endorsed by patients with primary brain tumor (PwPBT), with many reporting clinically elevated insomnia and poor management of their sleep-related symptoms by their medical team. Though Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) remains the front-line treatment for sleep disturbance, CBT-I has yet to be evaluated in PwPBT. Thus, it is unknown whether CBT-I is feasible, acceptable, or safe for patients with primary brain tumors.

The emotional journey of neuro-oncology: Primary brain tumor patients share their experience during this life-threatening disease.

Background: To achieve patient-centric quality care in neuro-oncology, all aspects of the disease and its impact on quality survival need to be considered. This includes the psychological consequences of a brain tumor diagnosis and subsequent life-altering experiences. Far too often the voice of our patients is unheard.

Introducing FCR6-Brain: Measuring fear of cancer recurrence in brain tumor patients and their caregivers.

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a psychological consequence of cancer diagnosis that impacts quality of life in neuro-oncology. However, the instruments used to assess FCR have not been tested for validity in patients with brain tumors. The present study explored the psychometric properties of a brief FCR scale in patients with primary brain tumor (PBT) and their caregivers.

Measuring and understanding death anxiety in caregivers of patients with primary brain tumor.

Objective: Caregivers of patients with primary brain tumor (PBT) describe feeling preoccupied with the inevitability of their loved one's death. However, there are currently no validated instruments to assess death anxiety in caregivers. This study sought to examine (1) the psychometric properties of the Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS), adapted for caregivers (DADDS-CG), and (2) the prevalence and correlates of death anxiety in caregivers of patients with PBT.

Same storm, different boat: The global impact of COVID-19 on palliative care.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a complex and profound impact on the provision of palliative care globally. To support learning from palliative care providers and researchers worldwide, the Education Subcommittee of International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) Palliative Care Special Interest Group developed a webinar with presentations by and discussion with eight international palliative care leaders.

Methods: Presentations were content rich; the speakers used both quantitative (e.

Re-examining popular screening measures in neuro-oncology: MMSE and RBANS.

Background: The Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is routinely used in neuro-oncology clinics to rule out cognitive impairment. However, the MMSE is known to have poor sensitivity to mild cognitive impairment, raising concern regarding its continued use. More comprehensive cognitive screeners are available, such as the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and may be better able to assess for cognitive dysfunction.

Managing cancer and living meaningfully (CALM) in adults with malignant glioma: a proof-of-concept phase IIa trial.

Background: Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) is an evidence-based, brief, semi-structured psychotherapy designed to help patients with advanced cancer cope with the practical and profound challenges of their illness. However, no study to date has investigated its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness in adults with malignant glioma, despite the well-documented incidence of psychological distress in this vulnerable and underserved population.

Methods: Fourteen patients with glioma and elevated symptoms of depression and/or death anxiety enrolled in the trial: 83% glioblastoma, 75% female, M = 56 years (SD = 15.

The burden of a brain tumor: guiding patient centric care in neuro-oncology.

Purpose: Brain tumor patients report an overwhelming sense of uncertainty when navigating the course of their terminal disease. Historically, organizational experts and/or treating physicians have established neuro-oncology programs. However, given the disease burden and incurable nature of current medical treatments, patient-centric care should be prioritized alongside institutional and academic objectives.

Death anxiety in patients with primary brain tumor: Measurement, prevalence, and determinants.

Objective: This study investigated death anxiety in patients with primary brain tumor (PBT). We examined the psychometric properties of two validated death anxiety measures and determined the prevalence and possible determinants of death anxiety in this often-overlooked population.

Methods: Two cross-sectional studies in neuro-oncology were conducted.

Sleep disturbance in primary brain tumor: prevalence, risk factors, and patient preferences.

Purpose: Primary brain tumor (PBT) patients report sleep disturbance due to their disease and treatment, yet few studies have utilized validated measures to understand the extent of patients' concerns and preferences for treatment. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of sleep disturbance among PBT patients in our clinic and to evaluate interest in treatment for sleep disturbance.

Methods: PBT patients completed validated measures of sleep disturbance and health during routine neuro-oncology visits.

Death-related distress in adult primary brain tumor patients.

Background: A diagnosis of cancer may increase mortality salience and provoke death-related distress. Primary brain tumor (PBT) patients may be at particular risk for such distress given the certainty of tumor progression, lack of curative treatments, and poor survival rates. This study is the first to examine the prevalence of death-related distress and its correlates in PBT patients.

The past as a resource for the bereaved: nostalgia predicts declines in distress.

Nostalgia, a sentimental longing for one's past, can serve as a resource for individuals coping with discomforting experiences. The experience of bereavement poses psychological and physical risks. In a longitudinal study, we examined whether dispositional nostalgia predicted reductions in distress associated with the death of a loved one.

Death Anxiety, Religious Doubt, and Depressive Symptoms across Race in Older Adults.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct and indirect relationships among death anxiety, religious doubt, and depressive symptoms in older adults. This study also investigates race as a moderator for these relationships. This study used data from the Religion, Aging, and Health Survey.

Predictors of Daily Relationship Quality in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 70) completed online measures of global constructs (i.e., stable individual characteristics measured at time 1), which included resilience, depressive symptoms, and family functioning, followed by 14 daily questionnaires assessing relationship quality and affect on a given day.

The Relationship Between Optimism, Coping, and Depressive Symptoms in Hispanic Mothers and Fathers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study examined gender differences in the relationship between dispositional optimism, coping, and depressive symptoms of Hispanic mothers (n = 46) and fathers (n = 43) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Coping was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms. The results revealed that mothers reported greater depressive symptoms and greater use of positive and support coping than fathers; however, both mothers and fathers reported similar levels of optimism and use of avoidant coping.

The impact of maternal, child, and family characteristics on the daily well-being and parenting experiences of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.

This study utilized a daily diaries method to explore the global factors that impact daily general affect and daily parenting interactions of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Eighty-three mothers of a child with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 3 and 13 years completed global assessments of maternal depressive symptoms, child autism spectrum disorder symptom severity, and family functioning. Mothers then reported on their daily negative and positive affect as well as their daily positive and frustrating parenting interactions for 14 consecutive days.