KEYS to Succeed: Cognitive and Academic Intervention Program for Children and Adolescents Surviving Cancer

September 21, 2026 updated by: Donald Mabbott, The Hospital for Sick Children

The study will examine whether school liaison services and home-based parental tutoring can help with academic difficulties of paediatric brain tumour survivors who received cranial spinal radiation and have returned to school. Forty-five patients will participate in the project. All patients will receive psychology liaison services to link resources at the hospital with those in the community. Patients will participate in one of two tutoring programs designed to directly or indirectly improve math skills over 12 weeks. Weekly phone calls will be used to support parents using the program. Patients will be tested before, immediately after, and six months following each tutoring program to assess growth in mathematics and working memory abilities.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Paediatric brain tumour survivors who receive cranial spinal radiation have learning problems, particularly in mathematics and working memory. Working memory is often described as a "mental workspace" where relevant information is held in mind and processed. Working memory is important in mathematics for holding in mind relevant information and carrying out steps necessary to solve problems.

This study will examine whether school liaison support and home-based parental tutoring can help address the academic difficulties of paediatric brain tumour survivors who have received cranial spinal radiation and who have returned to their community school. Forty five patients will participate in the project. First, all patients will receive psychology liaison services to link resources at the hospital with those in the community in order to provide information regarding the effects of pediatric cancer on learning and facilitate the implementation of appropriate assistive technology and remediation programs. Patients will then participant in one of two tutoring programs over the course of a 12 week period. One group of patients will participate in a program that addresses working memory with the intent of indirectly helping with mathematics skills. This program will be delivered over the internet. Another group of patients will participate in a program using a work book to directly help improve mathematics skills. Weekly phone calls will be used to support parents in doing the program. Patients will be tested before, immediately after, and six months following each tutoring program to assess growth in mathematics and working memory abilities. The two intervention programs will be compared to a waitlist control group that receives only the liaison service (including academic support through weekly phone calls over the 12 weeks).

The findings from this study will provide evidence about the type of intervention that is most effective at helping paediatric brain tumour survivors improve their mathematics skills and working memory ability.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
28

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X8
        • Hospital for Sick Children

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

6 years to 17 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and treated with cranial radiation
  • Is between 1 and 10 years following diagnosis
  • Has English as his or her native language or has had at least two years of schooling in English
  • Is between the ages of 6 and 17
  • Less than a Grade 8 equivalent math score

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Is younger than 6 years or older than 17 years of age
  • Is receiving palliative care

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Math + Liaison Service

To help with mathematics, participants will be assigned to a workbook based version of the JUMP Math program which will be completed at home with a parent. This intervention focuses on mental math skills. In addition all participants will receive the liaison service program.
Behavioral: Jump Math

Jump Math is a workbook based program aimed at improving math skills

Behavioral: Liaison Services

Liaison Services will include working closely with schools to help explain the strengths and weaknesses of a child based on cognitive testing and to help with the implementation of recommendations
Experimental: Working Memory + Liaison Service

To help with working memory, participants will be assigned to Cogmed, a game-like computer exercise focusing on improving working memory. In addition all participants will receive the liaison service program.
Behavioral: Liaison Services

Liaison Services will include working closely with schools to help explain the strengths and weaknesses of a child based on cognitive testing and to help with the implementation of recommendations

Behavioral: Cogmed

Cogmed is an online computer program aimed at improving working memory skills
Other: Liaison Services

Participants in this group will only receive the liaison service program for 12 weeks before being assigned to one of the intervention groups.
Behavioral: Liaison Services

Liaison Services will include working closely with schools to help explain the strengths and weaknesses of a child based on cognitive testing and to help with the implementation of recommendations

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Woodcock Johnson Academic-Third Edition
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of math Fluency, applied math problems, and qualitative concepts
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition Integrated
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of verbal and visual working memory
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning - Second Edition
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of verbal and visual working memory
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Automated Working Memory Assessment
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of verbal and visual working memory
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Connors' Continuous Performance Test-Second Edition
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of sustained attention
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Parent Version
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of executive functioning
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Monitoring Basic Skills Progress
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of mathematics
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
SAM
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of participants attitude towards math
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning - Second Edition
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of visual learning and memory
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
California Verbal Learning Test, Children's Version
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of verbal learning and memory
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
CANTAB
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

Measures of processing speed
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence - Second Edition
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

A measure of vocabulary and abstract visual reasoning
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up
Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System
Time Frame: Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

Measures of processing speed and switching attention
Pre-intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 6 months follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The Hospital for Sick Children

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Donald Mabbott, Ph.D., The Hospital for Sick Children

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 1, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 7, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 7, 2015

First Posted (Estimated)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 9, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 21, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 1000043747

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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