QOL-14. A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH TO BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION FOLLOWING TREATMENT FOR PAEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOURS: CAN PHARMACOTHERAPY AID NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOME?

Abstract

Long term survival following paediatric brain tumours has vastly improved in recent decades. Consequently there is a drive towards improved quality of survivorship. Brain tumours, surgical resection and adjuvant therapies represent mechanisms for brain injury and can therefore negatively impact a child’s neuropsychological trajectory; affecting cognition, behaviour, emotional and adaptive functioning and educational/occupational outcomes. A biopsychosocial approach to rehabilitation should target each of these domains through supported remediation, environmental modification and psychoeducation for young people and the key systems around them (e.g. families, education). There is a growing evidence base for the role of concordant psychopharmacologies to improve neuropsychological outcome. Since 2015 children treated at RHSC Edinburgh for brain tumours have been offered pharmacotherapy alongside usual rehabilitation approaches if they demonstrate significant difficulties with Attention, Processing Speed and/or Executive Function on formal neuropsychological assessment. Patients are referred to a Consultant Psychiatrist or Paediatrician (as per local protocol) for medication selection, titration and monitoring. A short case series (N=14) is presented outlining brain tumour pathologies, treatment modalities, neuropsychological profile and rationale for recommending pharmacotherapy. Approximately 50% of patients took up the offer. The treatment/s offered and self or parents reported outcomes is summarised. Pharmacotherapy was broadly effective; “it’s been like night and day”, although for one case (N=1) the side effects outweighed any benefit; “she became even more emotional”. Findings indicate that pharmacotherapy should be considered alongside conventional neurorehabilitation techniques for CYP with specific cognitive difficulties following treatment for paediatric brain tumours.