Feasibility of Mask-Free Radiotherapy for Brain Tumor Patients (MASKLESS)

The aim of this study is to investigate the technical feasibility of brain radiotherapy without immobilization masks using surface imaging to ensure accurate patient positioning and continuous motion monitoring.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

In brain radiotherapy, immobilization using a thermoplastic mask is a standard practice to ensure treatment accuracy. However, this method causes discomfort and anxiety for patients. The development of surface imaging (Surface Guided Radiation Therapy, SGRT) could offer a solution to this problem. SGRT is a non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging technique that uses cameras to capture the patient's position in real-time. In mask-free treatment, the radiation beam can be interrupted when motion exceeds a certain threshold and restarts only when the position is corrected.

Nowadays, very few studies have examined the concept of radiation therapy without immobilization masks using SGRT.

As part of this study, participants will take part in a simulated mask-free session. We will determine the stability of the patient's position in the absence of a mask. Participants will also complete questionnaires concerning their feelings during sessions with and without masks.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

20

Phase

  • 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 Contact

Study Locations

    • Brussels Capital
      • Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels Capital, Belgium, 1200
        • Recruiting
        • Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Dario Di Perri

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age >= 18 years old
  • Brain tumor treated with fractionated radiotherapy
  • Able to read and complete a questionnaire in French

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to remain still

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: Other
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Radiotherapy session without mask
A radiotherapy session without a mask will be simulated twice (during the first week and last week of treatment) during two scheduled treatment sessions.
Patients are positioned using SGRT based on the reference position reconstructed from the simulation scanner. They are asked to remain still during the typical duration of a conventional radiotherapy session. Patient motion is monitored by SGRT throughout the simulated session. A CBCT scan is performed before and after the session. No treatment is delivered.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Stability of patient's position
Time Frame: Through the course of radiation therapy (up to 6 weeks)

The stability of the patient's position will be assessed:

  • on the basis of "internal" movements (of the skull) detected by scanner imaging before and after the simulated session (on-board CBCT)
  • on the basis of surface movements monitored by SGRT throughout the session.
Through the course of radiation therapy (up to 6 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Patient's feelings with and without the mask
Time Frame: Through the course of radiation therapy (up to 6 weeks)
Patients are asked to fill in a questionnaire about their feelings (comfort, anxiety, claustrophobia, isolation, pain) during radiotherapy sessions with a mask and simulated sessions without an immobilization mask.
Through the course of radiation therapy (up to 6 weeks)
Preference of treatment
Time Frame: Through the course of radiation therapy (up to 6 weeks)
Patients are asked to indicate whether they prefer to be treated with or without a mask.
Through the course of radiation therapy (up to 6 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

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)

November 18, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 24, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 22, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

January 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 7, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 22, 2025

Last Verified

December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025/25JUL/316

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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