Assessing appearance concerns in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 patients

Development of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Assessing Tumor Visibility and Appearance Concerns in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Qualitative Study

Observational National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT06880991

This study is trying to understand how appearance-related concerns affect people with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 by gathering their thoughts and experiences through questionnaires and discussions.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment110 (estimated)
Ages5 Years to 120 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH
Locations1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT06880991 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to develop and evaluate patient-reported outcome measures that assess disfigurement and appearance-related concerns in individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Participants aged 8 and older with plexiform or cutaneous neurofibromas will complete questionnaires and participate in focus groups or interviews to provide qualitative feedback on their experiences. The goal is to refine these measures for use in future clinical trials, ensuring they accurately reflect the psychosocial impact of these tumors on patients' lives.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 8 years and older with visible plexiform or cutaneous neurofibromas, as well as caregivers of affected children.

Not a fit: Patients without visible tumors or those who do not meet the age criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to validated tools that better capture the impact of NF1-related disfigurement on patients' quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies focusing on patient-reported outcomes in other conditions, this specific approach for NF1-related disfigurement is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
* Participants must self-report a diagnosis of NF1 OR be the caregiver of a child with NF1 (5-17 years old with plexiform neurofibroma \[pNF\] or 12-17 years old with cutaneous neurofibroma \[cNF\])

The following for the participant or the caregiver of a child, as appropriate:

* Participants with NF1 must self-report a pNF and/or cNF tumor(s) that is visible to that individual OR others
* Caregivers of a child with NF1 must report a pNF and/or cNF tumor(s) that the child has that is visible to the child OR others
* Age requirements:

  * \>= 8 years old (participants with pNF)
  * \>= 12 years old (participants with cNF)
  * \>= 12 years old (participants with pNF and cNF)
  * \>= 18 years (caregivers)
* Access to device with internet
* Ability to understand English and comfort discussing their medical condition in English
* The ability of adult participant or caregiver of minor participants to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Physical or cognitive limitations that would prevent them from being able to participate in a focus group or interview, or unwillingness to do so
* Since we will aim to have no less than 25 percent of participants from underrepresented\* groups, individuals from represented groups may not be able to participate after we have reached the maximum target for represented groups. Consistent with best practices for scale development and validation, this will help ensure that the measures are appropriate for people from a variety of backgrounds.

  \* Underrepresented groups are defined as people who identify as African American or Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latine, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander.
* If saturation has been met within a particular age group, potential participants from that completed age group will no longer be eligible.

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Neurofibromatosis Type 1NeurofibromaQualitativeFocus GroupsInstrument Development
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.