Neurofeedback to improve neurocognitive functioning of children treated for a brain tumor: design of a randomized controlled double-blind trial

BMC Cancer

Marieke A de Ruiter²  Antoinette YN Schouten-Van Meeteren¹  Rosa van Mourik³  Tieme WP Janssen³  Juliette EM Greidanus²  Jaap Oosterlaan³  Martha A Grootenhuis² 

[1] Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children’s Hospital AMC, room G8-236, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands

[2] Psychosocial Department, Emma Children's Hospital AMC, room A3-241, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands

[3] VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, room 1E-41, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands

关键词: Double-blind;    RCT;    Protocol;    Neurofeedback;    Intervention;    Neurocognitive functioning;    Processing speed;    Memory;    Attention;    Survivors;    Child;    Brain tumor;   

Others  :  1080033
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2407-12-581

 received in 2012-10-04, accepted in 2012-11-22,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Neurotoxicity caused by treatment for a brain tumor is a major cause of neurocognitive decline in survivors. Studies have shown that neurofeedback may enhance neurocognitive functioning. This paper describes the protocol of the PRISMA study, a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of neurofeedback to improve neurocognitive functioning in children treated for a brain tumor.

Methods/Design

Efficacy of neurofeedback will be compared to placebo training in a randomized controlled double-blind trial. A total of 70 brain tumor survivors in the age range of 8 to 18 years will be recruited. Inclusion also requires caregiver-reported neurocognitive problems and being off treatment for more than two years. A group of 35 healthy siblings will be included as the control group. On the basis of a qEEG patients will be assigned to one of three treatment protocols. Thereafter patients will be randomized to receive either neurofeedback training (n=35) or placebo training (n=35). Neurocognitive tests, and questionnaires administered to the patient, caregivers, and teacher, will be used to evaluate pre- and post-intervention functioning, as well as at 6-month follow-up. Siblings will be administered the same tests and questionnaires once.

Discussion

If neurofeedback proves to be effective for pediatric brain tumor survivors, this can be a valuable addition to the scarce interventions available to improve neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00961922.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 de Ruiter et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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