Visual verticality problems and leaning after brain tumour surgery

Clinical, Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Investigation of Lateropulsion, Graviceptive Neglect and Verticality Perception in Neurosurgical Patients With Brain Tumours: A Prospective Cohort Study

This project will test whether people with brain tumours have changes in verticality perception and abnormal leaning (lateropulsion) before and up to 30 days after tumour surgery.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The University of Western Australia (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Perth, Western Australia)
• Trial ID: NCT06951659 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective observational cohort will enroll adults with confirmed brain tumours who undergo partial or full resection at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and measure visual verticality perception and lateropulsion before surgery and up to 30 days after. Clinical testing will be paired with neuroimaging to map lesion locations and correlate anatomical factors with symptoms. The study will compare patients who do and do not show lateropulsion and analyze demographic and clinical predictors of post-surgical verticality disorders. Findings are intended to describe prevalence, timing, and neuroanatomical associations rather than test a treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–80 with a confirmed brain tumour who undergo partial or full resection at the participating neurosurgery service and can provide consent and travel for follow-up assessments.

Not a fit: Patients who only have a biopsy, are medically unstable, pregnant, have active respiratory infections, cannot follow instructions, or lack a support network for travel are unlikely to be eligible and may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians spot patients at risk for balance problems after surgery and guide earlier, targeted rehabilitation to reduce falls and disability.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches in stroke populations have repeatedly linked visual verticality disorder and lateropulsion to balance problems, while data in neurosurgical brain tumour cohorts are limited and largely novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients of age 18 to 80 admitted to SCGH under the neurosurgery team with a confirmed diagnosis of a brain tumour.
* Only patients who undergo partial or full brain tumour resection and are medically stable.
* Able to provide written informed consent or consent provided by a Research Decision-Maker with the approval of an Independent Medical Practitioner (IMP) as per the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (GAA).
* Patients with a support network that enables them to accommodate to travel commitments for assessments if travel to the hospital is required.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who undergo only biopsy will not be included.
* Unable to follow any instructions and complete assessments due to significant medical deterioration.
* Patients who are pregnant.
* Current diagnosis of COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or any type of influenza.
* Patients without a support network that enables them to accommodate to travel commitments for assessments if travel to the hospital is required.
* An Advanced Care Health Directive prohibiting decision making by Research Decision-Maker.

Where this trial is running

Perth, Western Australia

• Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group — Perth, Western Australia, Australia (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Taiza GS Edwards, PhD — The University of Western Australia
• Study coordinator: Jimena Garcia-Vega, MSc

Conditions: Brain Tumours, Brain tumour, lateropulsion, visual verticality perception, graviceptive neglect, neurosurgery, neuroimaging, structural connectivity