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SOCFUN: Social Functioning in Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Components of Social Functioning in Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Categories:

Psychology and Biobehavioral Medicine

Brain Tumor

Diseases Treated:

Brain tumor

Eligibility Overview:

This study is open only to patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

  • Diagnosis of medulloblastoma or other brain tumor
  • Between 8 and 12 years old
  • At least 2 years after completion of therapy
  • Full-time student
  • Speaks English
  1. Brief Summary

    Children with brain tumors are at risk for a number of psychological late effects, including neurocognitive and social deficits. While neurocognitive impairments have been well-described, less is known about social functioning. In order to effectively design evidence-based interventions, a comprehensive assessment of social functioning that identifies key skill deficits must be completed.

    Prior studies have identified deficits in affect recognition as well as neurocognitive impairments that lead to poor social functioning. However, additional social-cognitive skills must be assessed, including problem solving and theory of mind. Better assessment of social functioning, including indicators of daily social interactions, must also be used. Additionally, a greater understanding of medical variables that influence social outcomes is also necessary.

    This study will assess social functioning in survivors of pediatric brain tumors using standard psychological questionnaires and an online diary assessment of social interactions. If survivors consent, their parents, teachers and best friends will also complete questionnaires.

    Primary Objective

    • Examine the impact of social-cognitive and neurocognitive abilities on social functioning in survivors of pediatric brain tumors

    Eligibility Criteria

    Inclusion criteria include:

    • Diagnosis of medulloblastoma or other brain tumor
    • Between 8 and 12 years old
    • At least 2 years after completion of therapy
    • Full-time student
    • Speaks English

    Exclusion Criteria include:

    • Home school student or full-time special education student
    • IQ less than 70
    • Diagnosis of a genetic disorder/pre-existing neurodevelopmental condition associated with neurocognitive or social impairment (e.g., autism, Down syndrome, Neurofibromatosis Type 1)
    • Diagnosis of craniopharyngioma
    • Treatment history includes craniospinal irradiation (CSI) (other brain tumor only)

    Study Sites

    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee

  2. About this study

    This study is open to patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Children who have completed therapy for a brain tumor, such as medulloblastoma or other brain tumor, may be eligible to participate. 

    Brain tumors are one of the most common cancer diagnoses in children. While new treatments have improved survival rates, these therapies can cause other problems later in life. For example, previous studies have shown pediatric brain tumor survivors may experience problems with memory, attention and social skills.

    In this study, researchers want to learn about social functioning in school-aged children who have completed therapy for brain tumors. They hope the study will help them know more about the different skills that affect how these children get along with others.

    Researchers will ask you and your child questions about your child’s thinking, memory, attention, and social skills. These questions will be asked in person and in written surveys. Your child will also complete an online diary for one week. Researchers will also ask your permission to contact your child’s teacher to complete additional questionnaires. This part of the study is optional. If you do not want your child’s teacher to participate, your child can still take part in the study. In addition, researchers will ask you to name a close friend of your child. With your permission, they will ask the child’s family to answer questions over the phone.

    Your child probably will not benefit personally from taking part in this study. However, the information learned from the study may help other children in the future.

    Purpose of this clinical trial

    This main purpose of this study is to learn about social functioning in school-aged children with brain tumors.

    Eligibility overview

    • Diagnosis of medulloblastoma or other brain tumor
    • Between 8 and 12 years old
    • At least 2 years after completion of therapy
    • Full-time student
    • Speaks English
  3. SOCFUN Quick View
    Sponsors St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society  
    ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03361033
    Trial Start Date December 2017
    Estimated Enrollment 80
    Study Type Observational
    Conditions Medulloblastoma or other brain tumor  
    Ages 8 to 12 years old
    Principal investigator Victoria Willard, PhD
    Study Sites St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
    For a consultation or to discuss SOCFUN St. Jude Physician/Patient Referral Office
    1-888-226-4343
    referralinfo@stjude.org

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105  USA
Voice: 1-888-226-4343 or 901-595-4055
24-Hour Emergency Access Pager: 1-800-349-4334
Email: referralinfo@stjude.org

The above information is intended to provide only a basic description about a research protocol that may be currently active at St. Jude. The details made available here may not be the most up-to-date information on protocols used by St. Jude. To receive full details about a protocol and its status and or use at St. Jude, a physician must contact St. Jude directly.

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