Psychological Intervention For Brain Tumor Caregivers

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byDeborah Forst, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Identified by study staff, a clinician, self, or a patient with a malignant brain tumor as the patient's primary caregiver

Participants may or may not be pregnant.

Age ≥ 18

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Exclusion Criteria

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)

Treatment Details

Interventions

Psychosocial Intervention Group (Behavioral Intervention)
Usual Care Group (Behavioral Intervention)

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Psychosocial Intervention GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

* 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

Group II: Usual Care GroupActive Control1 Intervention

* 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