Psychological Intervention For Brain Tumor Caregivers

NeuroCARE: Psychological Intervention for Caregivers of Patients With Malignant Gliomas (RCT)

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.

This study will be a prospective, randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a caregiver-directed intervention designed to improve anxiety in caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors, in comparison with caregivers who receive usual care.

The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of this intervention in reducing distress in caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors, in comparison with usual care. The study will be conducted in 120 caregivers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18
• Identified by study staff, a clinician, self, or a patient with a malignant brain tumor as the patient's primary caregiver
• The patient is receiving care at the MGH Cancer Center
• The patient was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor within the past 6 months
• Able to speak and read in English
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) score ≥5
• Participants may or may not be pregnant.

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)