Cognitive Training in the Virtual Reality Setting With Children Undergoing Radiotherapy for Brain Tumors

NCT ID: NCT05947045

Last Updated: 2025-10-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

45 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-06-22

Study Completion Date

2027-03-31

Brief Summary

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The objective of this study is to estimate the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive training in the virtual reality setting with children undergoing radiotherapy for brain tumors. To achieve this goal, the investigators plan to study children undergoing radiotherapy for brain tumors randomly assigned to cognitive training administered via an iPad or virtual reality. Both groups will also participate in cognitive testing and exams using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) pre- and post-intervention. The questions to be investigated are:

1. Will cognitive training via virtual reality be feasible and acceptable for children undergoing radiotherapy for brain tumors as indicated by participation rates, adherence and frequency of side effects?
2. Will cognitive training via virtual reality provide neurocognitive benefits?
3. Will there be predictable changes in brain activity as measured by neuroimaging?

Findings from this study will be used to develop a larger, definitive trial with direct potential to improve cognitive outcomes for children treated for cancer using a safe and effective alternative to desktop- or laptop-based computerized cognitive interventions with great promise for improving quality of life.

Detailed Description

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The objectives of this study are:

Primary Objective:

• To estimate the participation rate, intervention adherence, and side effects of cognitive training in the virtual reality setting with children undergoing radiotherapy for brain tumors.

Secondary Objectives:

* To estimate the effect size of change in cognitive outcomes associated with cognitive training in the virtual reality setting relative to cognitive training on an iPad.
* To evaluate patterns of cortical activation (oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin responses) pre- and post- cognitive training in the virtual reality setting and on an iPad.

The investigators will use a randomized, single blind (psychology examiner), parallel group design (cognitive training via iPad versus virtual reality) to test hypotheses about behavioral and neurophysiological changes associated with cognitive training in childhood cancer survivors. The investigators will recruit patients who are being treated for a BT with radiotherapy. Patients will participate in study sessions in the Psychology Clinic during routine visits to St. Jude for radiotherapy. fNIRS studies will be conducted with participants randomized to both the virtual reality and iPad groups pre- and post- Cogmed training sessions. The time period between pre- and post-cognitive assessments will be 2 to 4 weeks for both virtual reality and iPad groups.

Participants will be enrolled until 30 patients initiating radiotherapy for a BT are evaluable, with approximately 20 randomized to the virtual reality group and 10 to the iPad group. The investigators expect to recruit and screen up to 45 patients to ascertain 30 eligible participants.

Enrollment and assessment will be completed approximately 18 months after the study begins. Imaging data will be processed approximately two years after the study begins, and study findings will be disseminated within three years after the study begins.

Data management and statistical analysis will be provided locally by the Department of Psychology, the Neuroimaging Division of Radiological Sciences and the Biostatistics Department at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Conditions

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Brain Tumor

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
Single Blind

Study Groups

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IPad Cogmed Training

The investigator will be randomizing participants to complete Cogmed training on an iPad.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Cognitive training via iPad

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will complete five sessions of the Cogmed training program on an iPad. Participants will complete sessions over the course of one to two weeks while on campus for radiotherapy. Each session will take place in the Psychology Clinic and consist of 15 to 20 minutes of Cogmed training.

Virtual Reality Cogmed Training

The investigator will be randomizing participants to complete Cogmed training in Virtual Reality.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cognitive training via virtual reality

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will complete five sessions of the Cogmed training program within virtual reality. Participants will complete sessions over the course of one to two weeks while on campus for radiotherapy. Each session will take place in the Psychology Clinic and consist of 15 to 20 minutes of Cogmed training.

Interventions

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Cognitive training via iPad

Participants will complete five sessions of the Cogmed training program on an iPad. Participants will complete sessions over the course of one to two weeks while on campus for radiotherapy. Each session will take place in the Psychology Clinic and consist of 15 to 20 minutes of Cogmed training.

Intervention Type OTHER

Cognitive training via virtual reality

Participants will complete five sessions of the Cogmed training program within virtual reality. Participants will complete sessions over the course of one to two weeks while on campus for radiotherapy. Each session will take place in the Psychology Clinic and consist of 15 to 20 minutes of Cogmed training.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Initiating radiotherapy for a BT
* Between 8-22 years of age at the time of enrollment
* English or Spanish as the primary language
* Research participant and one parent willing to participate and provide consent/assent according to institutional guidelines
* Participant willing to take part in required aspects of Cogmed training

Exclusion Criteria

* Significant impairment in global intellectual functioning (estimated or full scale IQ \< 70 based on standardized testing routinely conducted on primary treatment protocols or as part of the New Oncology Program in Psychology \[NOPP\])
* History of significant neurological disease preceding BT diagnosis including stroke or head injury with loss of consciousness
* Major sensory or motor impairment that would preclude valid cognitive testing secondary to inability to complete study procedures (e.g., blindness, paresis, poorly controlled seizures/photosensitive epilepsy, inadequate balance to sit or stand unassisted to complete cognitive training)
* Psychiatric condition that would preclude or take precedence over study participation (e.g. active psychosis, suicidal ideation)
* Need for general anesthesia during radiation therapy (note: can participate if only sedated for simulation/planning but not daily treatment)
Minimum Eligible Age

8 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

22 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Andrew Heitzer, PhD, ABPP-CN

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Heather Conklin, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Locations

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Heather Conklin, PhD

Role: CONTACT

901-595-3585

Facility Contacts

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Role: primary

866-278-5833

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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NCI-2023-03975

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

COGVR

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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