The Patients' Experience After Stem Cell Transplant

January 5, 2026 updated by: University of Nebraska

Measuring Cognition, Physical Function, and Quality of Life After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Adults >/= 60 Years: A Feasibility Study

This study will examine how adults ≥ 60 years old thinking and memory abilities are affected by stem cell transplant; whether these changes affect day-to-day activities and quality of life and how thinking and memory abilities are affected by genetics, depression, anxiety and physical function. Genetics and other factors may affect the brain's chemicals or structure, and may increase risk for negative effects on thinking and memory.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

In this study, the investigators are looking to understand: 1) how adults ≥ 60 years old thinking and memory abilities are affected by stem cell transplant; 2) whether these changes affect day-to-day activities and quality of life; and 3) how thinking and memory abilities are affected by genetics, depression, anxiety and physical function. Genetics and other factors may affect the brain's chemicals or structure, and may increase risk for negative effects on thinking and memory. Participants will undergo neurocognitive testing along with the collection of a saliva sample and completing a battery of questionnaires and assessments.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

110

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

    • Nebraska
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68198
        • University of Nebraska Medical Center

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

Ages Eligible for Study

60 years to 85 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population is being recruited from the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Between the ages of 60-85
  • Diagnosed with a hematological malignancy
  • Is considering an autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant OR has undergone stem cell transplant in the past 12 months and seen by the PI for pre-transplant evaluation.
  • Is able to read, write, speak, and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • As per self report or medical record, history of central nervous system involvement and/or history of cranial irradiation or intrathecal chemotherapy except for patients with history of prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy.
  • As per self report or medical record, history of stroke, head injury, neurosurgery, seizure disorder, or demyelinating disorder.
  • As per self report or medical record, history of substance use disorder.
  • As per self report or in the judgement of the consenting professional, uncorrected vision loss.
  • As per self report or medical record, primary psychiatric disorder necessitating inpatient treatment in the last 12 months.
  • As per self report or medical record, history of allogeneic and or autologous stem cell transplant.

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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assess differences with cognitive function in older patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplant at 4 timepoints.
Time Frame: Before transplant; Post Transplant at 100 days, 6 months, and 12 months
Cognition will be measured using a neuropsychological battery.
Before transplant; Post Transplant at 100 days, 6 months, and 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assess quality of life of of older patients undergoing allogeneic and autologous transplant at 4 timepoints.
Time Frame: Before transplant; Post Transplant at 100 days, 6 months, and 12 months
Quality of life will be measured with the EORTC Quality of Life-30C questionnaire.
Before transplant; Post Transplant at 100 days, 6 months, and 12 months
Assess activity engagement of older patients undergoing allogeneic and autologous transplant at 4 timepoints.
Time Frame: Before transplant; Post Transplant at 100 days, 6 months, and 12 months
Activity engagement will be measured with the Activity Card Sort-modified.
Before transplant; Post Transplant at 100 days, 6 months, and 12 months
Describe genetic variations in genes potentially involved in cognitive function and cancer treatment.
Time Frame: 1 time collection: Before transplant
A saliva sample will be collected to look at genetic variations.
1 time collection: Before transplant

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Thuy Koll, MD, University of Nebraska

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)

September 1, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 11, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

November 11, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 19, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 2, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

March 6, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

January 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 5, 2026

Last Verified

December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 0431-17-EP

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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