Using video games to improve cognitive function in childhood cancer survivors
Cognitive Training Through Technological Gaming To Ameliorate Cognitive Effects Related To Childhood Cancer Treatment (WINNERS)
This study tests whether playing structured video games can help improve memory, attention, and reasoning skills in childhood cancer survivors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 56 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Madrid) |
| Trial ID | NCT06312969 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of a structured video game-based intervention on neurocognitive deficits in survivors of childhood cancer. It aims to leverage the plasticity of the central nervous system in pediatric patients to enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and reasoning. The intervention will be closely monitored and assessed using neuroimaging techniques to evaluate both cognitive and structural changes in the brain. Additionally, the study will explore improvements in clinical markers related to immune function and inflammation following the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 8 to 17 who have completed cancer treatment 1 to 6 years prior and have experienced neurocognitive deficits.
Not a fit: Patients with active oncologic disease or prior neurological or psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly enhance cognitive function and quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.
How similar studies have performed: While there is emerging interest in using gaming for cognitive rehabilitation, this specific approach targeting childhood cancer survivors is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients between 8 and 17 years of age at the time of recruitment. * Have completed treatment between 1 and 6 years prior to recruitment. * Have had one of the following diagnoses: * Patients with CNS disease (posterior fossa tumors and supratentorial gliomas smaller than 1 cm affecting associative areas). * Patients with hematologic malignancies (leukemia or lymphoma). * Patients with solid tumors. * Patients with non-malignant hematological diseases and indication for allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor transplantation. * Having received at least one of the following treatments: * Central nervous system surgery. * Central nervous system radiotherapy. * Intrathecal/intraventricular chemotherapy. * Neurotoxic systemic chemotherapy. * Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. * Informed consent signed by parent/guardian. Exclusion Criteria: * Active oncologic disease or relapse of active oncologic disease. * Prior neurological or psychiatric pathology that may preclude trial or treatment evaluations: * Psychological or neurocognitive illness or sequelae that preclude neuropsychological assessment or are expected to significantly artifact MRI results (examples: significant decrease in visual acuity, CNS surgical scar that artifacts imaging results, severe cognitive delay that precludes testing, etc.). * Psychological or neurocognitive illnesses or sequelae that prevent or contraindicate the use of video games (epilepsy that prevents the use of screens, significant decrease in visual acuity, etc.). * Mild or self-limiting neurological or psychiatric pathology that does not interfere with trial diagnosis and treatment (headache, epilepsy in remission with effective treatment, mild cognitive delay, etc.) will be allowed. * Current or recent (less than 1 year) use of other cognitive stimulation or brain training that may interfere with study results. * Refusal to abstain from the use of the study treatment games in case of being assigned to group B (control group). * Medical treatment that may significantly interfere with neuropsychological, imaging or biomarker assessments.
Where this trial is running
Madrid
- Hospital La Paz — Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Antonio Pérez-Martínez, PhD — Hospital la Paz
- Study coordinator: Carlos Gonzalez-Perez, MD
- Email: carlos.gonzalez2@salud.madrid.org
- Phone: 0034917277223
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.