Understanding the Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) experience and the priorities of individuals with NF1 and their caregivers for cognitive and social-emotional research

Authors

Allison Del Castillo, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA. Electronic address: adelcastillo@luc.edu.
Marina Dekarchuk, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA. Electronic address: mdekarchuk@childrensnational.org.
Tess Inker, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA. Electronic address: tess.k.kennedy@gmail.com.
Maureen Hussey, Children's Tumor Foundation, 132 E. 43rd St, Suite 418, New York, NY, 10017, USA. Electronic address: maureenchussey@gmail.com.
Karin S. Walsh, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA; The George Washington University School of Medicine, 2300 I St NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. Electronic address: kwalsh@childrensnational.org.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-5-2022

Journal

Journal of psychiatric research

Volume

154

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.07.035

Keywords

Cognition; Neurofibromatosis; Patient engagement; Social-emotional; nf1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patient engagement is increasingly recognized as a valuable, essential aspect of Neurofibromatosis research given the unique experiences and morbidities associated with the diagnosis. Engaging patients and families can enhance the relevance, methodology, and feasibility of clinical trials. METHODS: A REDCap survey ascertaining information on NF-related morbidities, priorities, and interests in cognitive and social-emotional research, and willingness to participate in research was dispensed to 4,565 individuals consented to the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) Registry with NF1. This included children and adults with NF1 and parents/caregivers of children with NF1. RESULTS: 525 individuals fully completed the survey: 295 parents/caregivers (M = 10.12, range = 3-24), 194 adults with NF1 (M = 45.73, range = 19-81), and 36 children with NF1 (M = 12.61, range = 10-17). Less than 10% of respondents have participated in cognitive research, while 42.4-49.5% indicated having sought opportunities for cognitive research. Most (79.4-82.4%) respondents reported that cognitive research is very/extremely important, with learning/academics and emotional functioning were priorities. Willingness to participate in research aligned with areas of importance. CONCLUSION: Analysis highlights that most survey respondents believe cognitive and social-emotional research is very important, but a relatively small number have participated. This finding may highlight poor dissemination of information of research opportunities to the broader NF community and limitations to access based on geography or other factors. Respondents indicate that learning/academic problems and emotional challenges to be research priorities. Continuing to engage patients and families with NF is expected to enhance the value and engagement in cognitive research.

APA Citation

Del Castillo, Allison; Dekarchuk, Marina; Inker, Tess; Hussey, Maureen; and Walsh, Karin S., "Understanding the Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) experience and the priorities of individuals with NF1 and their caregivers for cognitive and social-emotional research" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1516.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1516

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences