Project MILANO: Connections Between Patients With Brain Tumors and Their Pets: an Analysis of Concerns and Needs
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: The Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS; Johnson, Garrity, & Stallones, 1992).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Brain (Nervous System) Cancers. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- France
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
Context and problem In France, 61% of households own a pet, highlighting the significant role pets play in the daily lives. Patients diagnosed with brain tumors face specific challenges that may affect their ability to care their pets, including: * Progressive neurological deficits (cognitive and/or motor), limiting their autonomy, * A life-threatening prognosis. In this context, the well-being of pets when their owner's health deteriorates becomes a critical concern. Indeed: * Social isolation and the progressive loss of physical and cognitive abilities complicate pet care, particularly during prolonged hospitalizations or in the event of death, * The lack of appropriate facilities and care solutions causes stress for pets, who are often unprepared for such transitions, and adds to the emotional burden on patients. Why focus on patients with brain tumors? * These patients have specific needs due to the rapid progression of their condition, * A local study showed that 12% of patients with gliomas live alone, a significantly higher rate than in other cancer types. Patients who live alone are particularly exposed to issues related to their pet's future, * Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with brain tumors, proactive planning for pet care is particularly urgent.
Interventions
- Other The Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS; Johnson, Garrity, & Stallones, 1992)
The LAPS is a established tool for measuring the emotional bond between humans and their animal companions. Animal attachment is assessed according to three factors: the bond between owners and their dogs or cats, the closeness of the human-animal relationship, and the importance of the animal in the owner's life (Johnson et al., 1992). Higher scores indicate greater attachment.
Primary outcome measures
- LAPS scale [Time frame: Day 1]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Questionnaire [Time frame: Day 1]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Patients diagnosed with a brain tumor.
- Patients who own at least one pet.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who decline to participate in the study.
- Patients unable to complete the questionnaire.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
France · 1 center
- CHU Saint Etienne — Saint-Etienne
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06899516 · IRBN252025/CHUSTE