Investigating the wellbeing of Meningioma patients V1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  An Integrative approach to investigate the wellbeing of patients living with a Meningioma diagnosis.

• IRAS ID

  339610

• Contact name

  Molly Howarth

• Contact email

  m.a.howarth-2021@hull.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Hull

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 3 months, 3 days

• Research summary

  An interview based, mixed methods investigation into the wellbeing of Meningioma patients. Meningioma is the most commonly diagnosed brain tumour making up 25% of diagnoses however there is debate within the literature regarding whether the wellbeing of Meningioma patients is the same, or better, than other brain tumour patients. Neuro-oncological services within Hull note that fewer Meningioma patients are referred for psychological support than other diagnoses however, other research suggests there is no significant difference between the wellbeing of Meningioma patients and other brain tumour types (Zamanipoor Najafabadi et al., 2017). Therefore, this research aims to create a holistic understanding of the wellbeing of individuals living with a Meningioma diagnosis by combining data from an established wellbeing questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. This research is important as it may be that the needs of Meningioma patients are different to that of other brain tumour patients, therefore, this research can be used to provide oncologists, nurses and psychologists with guidance on how Meningioma patient’s wellbeing should be supported, post diagnosis.
  
  Individuals who have received a Meningioma diagnosis, are older than 18, not currently on the waitlist for surgery and not waiting for their post-operation follow-up appointment, will be eligible for the study. Interviews will be offered to take place either online, through Microsoft Teams, or in person. In person interviews will take place either within a meeting room at the University of Hull library or within an office in the Oncology department at Hull Royal Infirmary. Interviews will last roughly one hour and will include participants completing the FACT-Br (an established wellbeing questionnaire) and a semi-structured interview.

  Lay Summary:
  As part of my research I interviewed 14 individuals who had all experienced a meningioma diagnosis. They also completed a wellbeing questionnaire. I combined both sets of data to explore what the participants considered to influence their wellbeing and how their diagnosis impacted this.

  I found three prominent themes:
  - Emotional influences
  All participants felt their diagnosis had a significant negative impact on their mental health.
  - Social influences
  Social communication was important as when charities and families were supportive, participants felt understood, whereas others experienced feeling dismissed and isolated. Relationships with healthcare professionals were a challenge for all participants.
  - Physical and functional influences
  A range of symptoms and side-effects which presented challenges were discussed by participants, however participants often felt that others were invalidating of their symptoms.

  A central theme also emerged: “Living the life I want to live”.
  Participants communicated that it was essential that they did what was important to them in order to live a happy life. This greatly influenced the impact of the other three themes on an individual’s life.

  This information has been used to make recommendations to support the wellbeing of those facing a meningioma diagnosis such as:
  - Encouraging professionals to draw from a Biopsychosocial model rather than medical.
  - Use of value-based interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
  - Emphasis on considering how the meningioma diagnosis impacts each individual rather than making broad assumptions.
  - Clinical psychologists and charities should work together to increase public and professional awareness of the impact a meningioma diagnosis has on wellbeing
  

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/NW/0213

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Aug 2024

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion