Clinical Trial: Treatment for Executive Dysfunction in Adult Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional




Official Title: Feasibility and Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Cognitive Training for Executive Dysfunction in Adult Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Le

Brief Summary:

A common and potentially debilitating late effect of childhood cancer treatment is neurocognitive impairment, frequently in the domain of executive dysfunction, which can limit educational attainment, employment, and quality of life. Among the survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the SJLIFE cohort, the frequency of executive function impairment has been shown as high as 58.8%, with moderate to severe impairment as high as 33.5%, and risk for impairment increased with time from diagnosis. Given the potential of pervasive impact of neurocognitive impairment on daily life, interventions directed at reducing neurocognitive dysfunction among childhood cancer survivors with long-term follow-up are needed. This study examines the potential feasibility and efficacy of a novel intervention to improve executive function.

Primary Objectives:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of a home-based intervention using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive training in adult survivors of childhood ALL participating in the SJLIFE protocol at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH).

Secondary Objectives:

  • To estimate the efficacy of a tDCS intervention paired with cognitive training.
  • To explore the short-term effect of tDCS on measures of executive function among adult survivors of childhood ALL participating in the SJLIFE protocol