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. 2020 Nov 4;8(2):117–128. doi: 10.1093/nop/npaa072

Table 1.

Cognitive Rehabilitation Studies in Gliomas

Reference Study design and intervention Targeted cognitive domain(s) Outcome Sample
Combined cognitive retraining and compensation strategies Gehring et al, 200947 RCT in lower-grade gliomas Attention, executive functioning, learning, and memory At 6 mo: improved attention, verbal memory, and mental fatigue Total = 140
Intervention: 2 h weekly for 6 sessions including iPad app Low-grade glioma = 117
Control: wait-list Anaplastic glioma = 23
van der Linden et al, 201848 Feasibility RCT in postoperative primary brain tumors Attention, executive functioning, learning, and memory Feasibility: 54% met feasibility criteria defined as ≥ 80% completion of retraining and compensation strategies Total = 13
Intervention: 3 h weekly for 10 sessions using iPad Low-grade glioma = 4
Control: wait-list Meningioma = 7
Other = 2
Zucchella et al, 201349 RCT in primary brain tumors postoperatively Orientation, attention, memory, and executive functioning At 1 mo: improved verbal memory, visual attention Total = 53
Intervention: 4 h weekly for 16 sessions Low-grade glioma = 7
Control: usual care without cognitive training High-grade glioma = 25
Meningioma = 16
Other = 5
Compensation strategies Hassler et al, 201059 Pilot study in glioblastomas and anaplastic gliomas Perception, concentration, attention, verbal learning and memory, retentiveness, and creativity At 12 wk: improved verbal learning Total = 11
Intervention: 10 group sessions of 90 min of compensation (holistic mnemonic training) Glioblastoma = 7
Anaplastic glioma = 4
Locke et al, 200860 Primary brain tumors undergoing radiation with caregivers Executive functioning, learning and memory At 3 mo: 88% patients using strategies at least once per wk Total = 13
Intervention: 50 min daily for 6 sessions of cognitive rehabilitation and problem-solving therapy intervention Glioma = 11
Control: usual care without cognitive training Meningioma = 2
Miotto et al, 201361 Pilot study in untreated primary frontal lobe tumors Verbal learning and memory, working memory, executive functioning At 30 min: improved verbal memory Total = 21
Intervention: 30 min of strategic semantic organizational training Glioma = 12
Meningioma = 9
Miotto et al, 201462 Pilot study in low-grade glioma of left frontal lobe Verbal learning and memory At 30 min: improved verbal memory Total = 9
Intervention: 30 min of strategic semantic organizational training Low-grade glioma = 9
Control: matched healthy volunteers
Richard et al, 201957 Pilot RCT in brain tumors Executive and related attention, memory, and behavioral impairments At 4 mo: improved HRQOL, executive function, processing speed Total = 25
Intervention: 2 h weekly for 8 sessions (GMT or BHP) Low-grade glioma = 8
Control: wait-list High-grade glioma = 6
Meningioma = 7
Other = 4
Cognitive retraining Maschio et al, 201546 Pilot study in brain tumors Memory, attention, visuospatial functions, language, and reasoning Immediately and at 6 mo: improved attention, memory, and verbal fluency Total = 16
Intervention: 1 h weekly retraining for 10 sessions Low-grade glioma = 5
Anaplastic glioma = 4
Glioblastoma = 2
Meningioma = 2
Metastases = 3
Yang et al, 201458 RCT VR for retraining in brain tumors Attention, learning, and memory At 1 mo: improved attention, memory, and visual motor coordination, visual learning, and memory Total = 38
Intervention: 1.5 h weekly VR retraining and 1 h weekly computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation for 4 wks Astrocytoma = 2
Control: 2.5 h weekly of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation for 4 wk Glioblastoma = 5
Meningioma = 10
Metastasis = 6
Other = 15

Abbreviations: BHP, Brain Health Program; GMT, Goal Management Training; HRQOL, health related quality of life; RCT, randomized controlled trial; VR, virtual reality.