Qol-18. Can Quality of Life for Brain Tumor Survivorship Care

Abstract

Cancer survivorship is an important area of medicine as it focuses on the quality of life of patients after experiencing cancer and cancer treatment. Thankfully, many patients survive cancers and other benign tumor diagnoses but must live with the side effects and subsequent consequences of their treatment. These, sometimes lifelong, effects can diminish quality of life and interfere with day-to-day activities. A number of therapy tools have been developed to aid in survivorship care, but how can we advance new digital therapy tools for cancer survivorship and brain-related diseases, specifically quality of life? The University of Cincinnati has curated an innovative team of faculty and students across disciplines to develop digital applications to emphasize cancer and brain tumor survivorship and create new methods for health and wellbeing at the hands of people. This includes the CAN Quality of Life applications which use novel technologies to administer digital pre-existing therapies. The first, ARMCan, is a digital music therapy instrument used by breast cancer patients with post-chemotherapy brain fog. The second, ARTCan, is a digital art therapy platform in which vestibular schwannoma and NF2 patients with mood issues can complete self-guided art activities. ARTCan is partnered with ARCCan, animal robotic-like companions. A narrative application for cancer survivors and caregivers is being developed. These CAN applications hope to improve the quality of life for the people they serve by improving executive function and mood, respectfully. ARMCan and ARTCan/ARCCan pilot feasibility studies are currently accruing subjects at our institution.