Abstract
Abstract Objective: Patients with primary brain tumors (PwPBT) experience negative cognitive sequalae (cancer-related cognitive impairment; CRCI) as a result of tumor burden, surgical intervention, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Research investigating CRCI treatments for PwPBT remains nascent. Most of the previous investigations have applied interventions developed for and tested in other medical populations to PwPBT, leaving gaps in our understanding of what might best serve the specific needs of PwPBT. Thus, the present study examined sources of cancer-related distress and preferences for interventions to address CRCI in PwPBT. Methods: As part of institutional quality improvement, PwPBT rated specific symptoms of cancer-related distress (from “not at all” to “very much” bothered) as well as preferences for specific interventions to address or cope with CRCI (from “not at all” to “very” interested). Patients also self-reported demographics and medical characteristics. Descriptive statistics characterized sources of distress and treatment preferences. Results: PwPBT (N = 41, age 45.1 + 13.2, 52.5% male, 87.5% White) completed the questionnaire. Fatigue (54%) and cognitive changes (53%) were rated as the most distressing symptoms following brain tumor diagnosis. Cognitive rehabilitation (42%) and mindful movement (42%) were the most preferred interventions for management of CRCI; followed by psychotherapy (37%), mindfulness meditation (30%), and medication (20%). Discussion: As expected, cognitive changes were a highly-rated source of distress for PwPBT, second only to fatigue. Both formal cognitive rehabilitation and mindful movement, or gentle exercise like yoga, were the most preferred interventions for management of CRCI. Importantly, these interventions may dually address fatigue symptoms for PwPBT. These data can inform future intervention development within neuro-oncology.
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