Environmental Enrichment After Primary Glioma Radiation Therapy.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore and describe the health outcomes and levels of environmental enrichment (EE) in participants with brain tumors after radiation therapy (RT).

Sample & setting: 39 participants with glioma (grades 2-3) treated with RT were recruited within five years of original diagnosis from a neuro-oncology clinic.

Methods & variables: A cross-sectional design was employed. EE measures included social connectedness, physical activity, employment, and financial stability. Health outcome measures included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, global cortical atrophy rate scale, Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor Module. Descriptive statistics characterized the health outcomes between participants who received photon RT and proton beam RT.

Results: Participants who received photon RT with high EE showed higher scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and lower scores on the global cortical atrophy rate scale and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor Module.

Implications for nursing: EE may reduce symptom burden, promote healthy brain aging, and improve cognitive and functional status in glioma survivors receiving photon RT.