A Health Game Intervention for Cancer and Post-ICU Patients Suffering From Acute Cognitive Impairment: A Clinical Study to Assess a New Form of Brain Stimulation Therapy With the Potential to Improve Synaptic Plasticity
A Health Game Intervention for Cancer and Post-ICU Patients Suffering From Acute Cognitive Impairment: A Clinical Study to Assess a New Form of Brain Stimulation Therapy With the Potential to Improve Synaptic Plasticity
Millions of patients each year suffer from acute cognitive impairment caused by traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc. Despite increasing incidences and morbidity, effective pharmacological interventions continue to show a lack of improvement for brain cancer patients. Studies thus far have shown that non-pharmacological interventions have contributed to early success in addressing some forms of cognitive impairment for patients with cognitive dysfunction. We have built a phase-one fully functioning game Hometown Bound that offers cognitive challenges to patients. The aim of this study is to observe for measured improvement of cognitive function among brain cancer patients, which will be validated by the four cognitive scales, measuring efficacy. The first three scales measure patient baseline impairment before and after game play.
After the completion of a usability study, a two-arm, randomized parallel-group efficacy pilot study will be executed with adult brain cancer patients to estimate cognitive improvements using 3 cognitive assessment measures. Arms will include an experimental group (intervention) and the non-gameplay attention group (control).
Experimental group: estimate approximately 10 hours of game play (over 4 weeks) and 1-2 hours of cognitive survey testing will be needed
Control group: It is estimated approximately 10 hours of Word-Search and Crossword Puzzle play (over 4 weeks) and 1-2 hours of cognitive survey testing will be needed.
Patient total duration of the intervention will be four weeks (3X per week) starting approximately one to two weeks after the conclusion of all cancer treatment (chemo and radiation therapy). Depending on the patients' ability/comfort level, we will determine if they are able to use the VR headset and hand controls.
The 3 cognitive scales:
Inclusion Criteria:
Inclusion criteria of our study are as follows: (1) age 18 years or older, (2) English speaking, (3) Completion of all chemo and radiation therapy and surgical procedures, (4) physical, cognitively, and emotionally able to wear the VR game headset or seat with personal computer flat screen, (5) able to provide consent or through a legally authorized representative, (6) available to play the game three times per week for four consecutive weeks, either in the outpatient clinics or in a location near their home, with the support to provide them transportation to either location and (7) own a cell phone by which they can be reached to make arrangement for testing. Race and gender are not conditions for inclusion in this pilot study.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients are excluded from our study if any of the following conditions are present: (1) history of mental illnesses and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or any other form of advanced neurodegenerative or neuro-cognitive diseases, (2) severe psychiatric illness which is not well controlled, (3) suspected or confirmed drug intoxication/overdose; (5) acute neurologic injury such as traumatic brain injury, ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident, or undergoing neurosurgery, (6) uncorrected hearing or vision impairment including legal blindness, (7) incarcerated at the time of study enrollment, (8) enrolled in another clinical trial which does not permit co-enrollment, or (9) any medical condition precluding safe use of VR headset and hand control technology or physical use of personal computer flat screen and touch pads.