More than 50% of children diagnosed with cancer are at risk for adverse neurocognitive changes due to central nervous system (CNS) disease and/or CNS directed therapy, such as cranial radiation and intrathecal chemotherapy. While there are a large number of studies to identify and quantify the adverse neurobehavioral impact of childhood cancer, empirical investigations of therapeutic interventions to treat such sequelae are only now emerging. The current proposed study, in response to a Program Announcement for quality of cancer survival, represents an important step in advancing the research to improve and manage neurocognitive and behavioral late effects in childhood cancer survivors with CNS-directed therapy. The study is innovative in that it diverges from the recent, child directed remediation efforts based in the clinic, which thus far have yielded limited and only small benefits, and instead explores the potential of a different route to positively influence child outcomes. The study pilots a behavioral trial to empirically evaluate the impact of a parent intervention for the primary purpose of improving the child's academic, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. We have developed a training manual for our parent intervention that addresses four basic parenting components important to promote learning and school success in the child. We will evaluate the feasibility of implementing our program, track adherence, and collect preliminary data on the impact. Project Relevance: This study is expected to increase knowledge about whether specific parenting activities may positively impact learning and school performance in children treated with CNS-directed therapy and who have neurocognitive and behavioral/adaptive difficulties. ? ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03CA130731-01A1
Application #
7489261
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1-SRLB-H (J1))
Program Officer
Jeffery, Diana D
Project Start
2008-04-18
Project End
2010-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-18
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$83,250
Indirect Cost
Name
City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
027176833
City
Duarte
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
91010
Patel, Sunita K; Ross, Paula; Cuevas, Michelle et al. (2014) Parent-directed intervention for children with cancer-related neurobehavioral late effects: a randomized pilot study. J Pediatr Psychol 39:1013-27
Patel, Sunita K; Wong, Andrew L; Cuevas, Michelle et al. (2013) Parenting stress and neurocognitive late effects in childhood cancer survivors. Psychooncology 22:1774-82