GIST and Memory and Attention Adaptation Training

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be efficacious in the treatment of cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) has been evaluated in previous clinical trials with samples of breast cancer survivors and found effective at reducing cancer-related cognitive impairment. MAAT has been demonstrated to be efficacious when it is delivered via videoconference.The use of telehealth delivery enhances access to cancer survivorship care and reduces time and travel burden among cancer survivors, especially those who live in rural and/or underserved areas where cancer survivor services are less available.

People with a diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors also experience self-reported cancer-related cognitive impairment. In order to determine if MAAT can sufficiently treat CRCI among people with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), we propose a trial of MAAT to determine its initial level of effectiveness in improving both self-reported cognitive impairments and objective neuropsychological test performance in GIST patients.

This study is a single-group, repeated measures (pre-post-intervention) design. This low-cost, simple design is intended to gather pilot data to gain an understanding of preliminary MAAT efficacy in the population of people with GIST who have cognitive complaints. The objective of the study is to estimate the magnitude of clinical effect of MAAT (delivered via videoconference, telehealth technology) on perceived cognitive impairment and neuropsychological test performance among GIST patients with cognitive complaints. The primary objectives consist of the telephone-based assessment of neuropsychological status (TBANS) and self-reported cognitive symptoms as assessed by the FACT-Cog perceived cognitive impairments (PCI) scale and impact on quality of life scale (IQOL). Within-group effect size will be calculated to determine clinical effect of MAAT on group outcomes on neuropsychological and self-reported outcome measures (PCI, IQOL). The reliable change index (RCI) will be calculated to determine minimal clinically important differences in pre-to-post change in individual cases on FACT-Cog (PCI; IQOL) outcomes. The proportion of cases who exceed reliable change ("reliable" difference in pre-to-post-intervention FACT-Cog scores) will be quantified. The secondary objective is to estimate the magnitude of effect of MAAT on depressive symptoms, anxiety and fatigue among GIST patients with cognitive complaints. This will be done using a self-reported questionnaire (total scores/T-scores); a within-group effect size calculated to determine clinical effect of MAAT on group outcomes on self-reported outcome measures (PROMIS Depression 8a; PROMIS Anxiety 8a, PROMIS® Pain 3a, PROMIS® Fatigue 8a) and a within group effect size to determine clinical effect on group outcomes and published minimal clinically important differences in pre-to-post change individual cases. Screening will begin with individual patients diagnosed with GIST and who have either been directed by medical oncologists or those who respond to advertisements on clinic video monitors in waiting rooms, or who have responded to Pitt+Me recruitment methods. All participants in this study will be able to participate from home through the telephone (pre-post-MAAT, or intervention, neurocognitive assessments) and mobile device telehealth videoconference visits for 8 MAAT visits (intervention). Eligible and consented participants will have their first telephone-based neurocognitive assessment (TBANS) scheduled shortly after consent. At that point, a trained psychometrist (our research coordinator) will schedule the 30-minute telephone based and standardized neurocognitive assessment. Participants will also complete self-report measures online (REDCap) with data stored on secured University of Pittsburgh servers.Participants will then be enrolled in MAAT for 8 weekly visits of 45minutes each (described below). MAAT will be videoconference delivered by doctoral-level clinical psychology graduate student trainees who will be completing clinical externship with the Center for Counseling and Cancer Support at Hillman Cancer Center, Shadyside Medical Building. Dr. Ferguson will train and supervise each trainee delivering MAAT to assure highest quality control and treatment fidelity. After completion of 8 MAAT visits, participants will complete post-intervention measures consisting of the same measures they performed during the pre-intervention excluding demographic, clinical characteristics, and Charlson Comorbidity Index to evaluate participant change (efficacy) due to MAAT intervention.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 and above;
2. Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST);
3. At least 1 year post-initiation of TKI therapy;
4. Report cognitive problems of memory and concentration attributed to GIST and/or treatment with a score of 10 or below on the FACT-Cog Impact on Quality of Life Scale;
5. Able to speak and read English;
6. Able to provide IRB-approved written informed consent; and
7. Willingness to use videoconferencing and complete phone-based neurocognitive assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor medication for a non-GIST diagnosis
2. Previous CNS radiation, intrathecal therapy, or CNS-involved surgery;
3. Previous cancer history with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer;
4. Previous exposure to chemotherapy with another cancer or due to other medical condition (e.g., methotrexate exposure for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis);
5. Scoring 3 or below on the 6-item cognitive screen designed to detect severe memory disorders;1
6. Significant neurodevelopmental, neurobehavioral, or medical risk factors likely to affect cognitive functioning (e.g., history of neurological disorder, stroke, traumatic brain injury greater than mild severity, such as loss of consciousness \>30 minutes, medical disorder that is unstable or likely to affect cognition such as metabolic disorder, heart attack, uncontrolled diabetes or endocrine dysfunction);
7. Current severe DSM-5 mental disorder criteria, including but not limited to neurodevelopmental, substance abuse, mood, anxiety, or psychotic disorders