A quantitative meta-analysis of neurocognitive sequelae in survivors of pediatric brain tumors.
BACKGROUND
Deficits in neurocognitive functioning are an important area of late effects in survivors of pediatric brain tumors, but a quantitative analysis of the magnitude of these deficits has yet to be conducted.


METHODS
The purpose of the current article is to provide a comprehensive meta-analysis of the literature on long-term neurocognitive effects found in these survivors.


RESULTS
Results indicated significant deficits in both narrow and broad indices of neurocognitive functioning, and the overall magnitude of the effects across all domains ranged from small to large in magnitude (g = -0.45 to -1.43) with a large mean overall effect size of g = -0.91.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the neurocognitive late effects in survivors of pediatric brain tumors, and the need for more consistent consideration of demographic, diagnostic, and treatment-related variables in future research to allow for examination of factors that may moderate these deficits.
Robinson
Kristen E
KE
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesse 37203, USA. kristen.e.robinson@vanderbilt.edu
Kuttesch
John F
JF
Champion
Jennifer E
JE
Andreotti
Charissa F
CF
Hipp
Dana W
DW
Bettis
Alexandra
A
Barnwell
Anna
A
Compas
Bruce E
BE
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*