Patient reported outcomes and short-term adjustment trajectories following gamma knife radiosurgery for benign brain tumor

Chelsea Nicol; Mark B Pinkham; Matthew Foote; Angela McBean; Elizabeth Conlon; Tamara Ownsworth

doi:10.1080/09638288.2024.2401631

Patient reported outcomes and short-term adjustment trajectories following gamma knife radiosurgery for benign brain tumor

Disabil Rehabil. 2024 Sep 12:1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2401631. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chelsea Nicol^{1

2}, Mark B Pinkham^{3

4}, Matthew Foote^{3

4}, Angela McBean⁴, Elizabeth Conlon¹, Tamara Ownsworth^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia.
² The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia.
³ School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁴ Gamma Knife Centre of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Australia.

PMID: 39263895
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2401631

Abstract

Purpose: Patient reported outcomes (PROs) in the context of Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery (GKSRS) for benign brain tumor have been under-researched. This study examined changes in PROs and adjustment trajectories post-GKSRS.

Method: 50 adults (54% female) aged on average 53.18 (SD = 14.76) years with benign brain tumor were assessed 1 week before GKSRS, 1-2 weeks post-GKSRS, and at 3-month follow-up. Telephone-based questionnaires of anxiety and depressive symptoms, cognitive function, symptom burden, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were completed.

Results: Significant improvements in HRQoL, perceived cognitive ability, anxiety, and total brain tumor symptoms were evident between pre-GKSRS and 3-month follow-up. Conversely, there was a significant short-term increase in depressive symptoms at post-GKSRS; however, levels did not differ from pre-GKSRS at follow-up. No significant changes were evident on PROs of headaches or fatigue. About half of the participants (46-51%) experienced reliable improvement in global HRQoL, and one-third (31-34%) reported improved anxiety symptoms. Increased depressive symptoms was seen in 34% of participants post-GKSRS and 18% at follow-up.

Conclusions: At 3 months post-GKSRS, improvements in HRQoL, anxiety, perceived cognitive ability, and total brain tumor symptoms were evident. Routine monitoring and support for pre-GKSRS anxiety and depressive symptoms post-GKSRS is recommended.

Keywords: Gamma Knife; Stereotactic radiosurgery; benign brain tumor; health-related quality of life; patient reported outcomes.

Plain language summary

Individuals receiving Gamma Knife radiosurgery for benign brain tumor experience positive impacts on global, emotional, and physical HRQoL, perceived cognitive ability, anxiety, and overall brain tumor symptoms following treatment.Due to heightened levels of anxiety observed prior to treatment, routine screening and support for anxiety are recommended before individuals receive Gamma Knife radiosurgery.Symptoms of depression may increase following Gamma Knife radiosurgery, therefore routine monitoring and management of mood symptoms is recommended after treatment.Evidence-based psychological interventions are needed for healthcare professionals to support individuals undergoing Gamma Knife radiosurgery.