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Neurobehavioural changes in patients following brain tumour: patients and relatives perspective

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Abstract

Purpose

Patients and relatives experiences of behavioural and personality changes following brain tumour were assessed to determine whether these changes are more prominent in the experience of patients with frontal tumours and their relatives as a first step to evaluate the need to develop appropriate support and management of such changes, which have a substantial impact on social functioning, and ultimately to improve quality of life.

Methods

Patients and relatives rated the patients’ current levels of apathy, disinhibition and executive dysfunction on the Frontal Systems Behaviour Scale. Patients also completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The data from 28 patients with frontal tumours and 24 of their relatives, and 27 patients with nonfrontal tumours and 25 of their relatives, were analysed.

Results

Patients with frontal tumours rated themselves significantly higher than patients with nonfrontal tumours on all frontal systems-related behaviours. The number of patients reporting clinical levels of difficulty was significantly greater in patients with frontal tumours for disinhibition. The ratings of relatives of patients with frontal tumours were significantly higher than those of relatives of patients with nonfrontal tumours for apathy. Clinically significant levels of apathy and executive dysfunction were however reported by at least 40 % of patients and relatives regardless of tumour location. Clinical levels of anxiety were reported by significantly more patients with frontal tumours than those with nonfrontal tumours.

Conclusion

Support and management of behavioural and personality change for patients with brain tumours and their relatives, regardless of tumour location, would be most appropriate.

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Ethical standards

The procedures involved in this study were approved by the King’s College Hospital Research Ethics Committee, part of the National Research Ethics Service. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants.

Conflict of interest

None

Funding

No funding was obtained.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK

    N. Gregg & L Yágüez

  2. Department of Health and Social Care, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

    A. Arber

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    K. Ashkan, R. Bhangoo, R. Gullan & V. Hurwitz

  4. Department of Oncology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    L. Brazil & R. Beaney

  5. Neuropsychology Department, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 9th Floor Ruskin Wing, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK

    A. Costello & L Yágüez

Authors
  1. N. Gregg
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  2. A. Arber
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  3. K. Ashkan
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  4. L. Brazil
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  5. R. Bhangoo
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  6. R. Beaney
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  7. R. Gullan
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  8. V. Hurwitz
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  9. A. Costello
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  10. L Yágüez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Costello.

Additional information

The corresponding author has full control of all primary data and is agreeable to allow the journal to review our data if requested.

A Costello and L Yágüez are joint senior authors.

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Gregg, N., Arber, A., Ashkan, K. et al. Neurobehavioural changes in patients following brain tumour: patients and relatives perspective. Support Care Cancer 22, 2965–2972 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2291-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2291-3

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