IMPACT: Image Modality and Performance in Awake Craniotomy Testing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Influence of image modality on naming performance in brain tumour patients undergoing awake craniotomy (IMPACT)
IRAS ID
349178
Contact name
Neil Barua
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Picture naming tasks are the gold standard method for assessing the language abilities of brain tumour patients before, during, and after their possible tumour removal surgery. These patients are at the risk of losing their linguistic and communication skills when tumours are located nearby the brain regions responsible for important language functions and processing. The use of picture naming tasks throughout the patients' clinical care can help minimise this risk by allowing for testing and monitoring of patients’ speech, as well as the detection of the language-relevant brain sites. Such tasks are, therefore, essential to help preserve patients’ language abilities.
Existing research suggests that the way in which an image is presented influences the ease with which an image can be recognised and accurately named. To date, however, there is no clear guidance on how images used for language testing among brain tumour patients, including those undergoing brain surgery (also called an ‘awake craniotomy’), should be presented. That is, it is not clear what image type (e.g., a drawing or a photograph), what shade (black-and-white or coloured), size or quality is best used to aid picture naming by brain tumour patients. The images that are currently used vary greatly and the lack of clear guidance presents a challenge for the neurosurgical teams in selecting the appropriate images.
Our study (IMPACT) aims to determine the optimal image types for use in picture naming tasks for brain tumour patients, including those undergoing an awake craniotomy. The findings of this study will serve as a guideline for designing more consistent and reliable tools for the evaluation of language functions in brain tumour patients.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0239
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion