Project MILANO: Connections Between Patients With Brain Tumors and Their Pets: an Analysis of Concerns and Needs

NCT ID: NCT06899516

Last Updated: 2025-04-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 65 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-03-20
• Study Completion Date: 2026-03-31

Brief Summary

Context and problem

In France, 61% of households own a pet, highlighting the significant role pets play in the daily lives. Patients diagnosed with brain tumors face specific challenges that may affect their ability to care their pets, including:

• Progressive neurological deficits (cognitive and/or motor), limiting their autonomy,
• A life-threatening prognosis.

In this context, the well-being of pets when their owner's health deteriorates becomes a critical concern. Indeed:

• Social isolation and the progressive loss of physical and cognitive abilities complicate pet care, particularly during prolonged hospitalizations or in the event of death,
• The lack of appropriate facilities and care solutions causes stress for pets, who are often unprepared for such transitions, and adds to the emotional burden on patients.

Why focus on patients with brain tumors?

• These patients have specific needs due to the rapid progression of their condition,
• A local study showed that 12% of patients with gliomas live alone, a significantly higher rate than in other cancer types. Patients who live alone are particularly exposed to issues related to their pet's future,
• Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with brain tumors, proactive planning for pet care is particularly urgent.

Conditions

Brain (Nervous System) Cancers

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: COHORT
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Pet-owning brain tumour patients

To assess the concerns and needs of patients with brain tumors regarding their pets, in order to plan for the pets' future when their owners are hospitalized, unable to care for them due to their condition, or in the event of their death.

The Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS; Johnson, Garrity, & Stallones, 1992)

Intervention Type: OTHER

The LAPS is a established tool for measuring the emotional bond between humans and their animal companions. Animal attachment is assessed according to three factors: the bond between owners and their dogs or cats, the closeness of the human-animal relationship, and the importance of the animal in the owner's life (Johnson et al., 1992). Higher scores indicate greater attachment.

Interventions

The Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS; Johnson, Garrity, & Stallones, 1992)

The LAPS is a established tool for measuring the emotional bond between humans and their animal companions. Animal attachment is assessed according to three factors: the bond between owners and their dogs or cats, the closeness of the human-animal relationship, and the importance of the animal in the owner's life (Johnson et al., 1992). Higher scores indicate greater attachment.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients diagnosed with a brain tumor.
• Patients who own at least one pet.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients who decline to participate in the study.
• Patients unable to complete the questionnaire.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Carole Ramirez, Md

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

CHU de SAINT-ETIENNE

Locations

CHU Saint Etienne

Saint-Etienne, , France

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

France

Central Contacts

Carole Ramirez, Md

Role: CONTACT

carole.ramirez@chu-st-etienne.fr

(0)477829326 ext. +33

Facility Contacts

Carole Ramirez, Md

Role: primary

carole.ramirez@chu-st-etienne.fr

(0)477829326 ext. +33

Other Identifiers

IRBN252025/CHUSTE

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id