Purpose: Our study assessed the efficacy of the simultaneous use of hearing aids and auditory training for improving cognition and psychosocial function in adults with hearing loss, and the relationships between hearing loss, speech perception and cognition. Participants and methods: A 40-person (aged 50-90 years) pilot study in Melbourne, Australia, was conducted. Participants with hearing impairment completed the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, questions about social activity participation, a wide range of cognitive tasks and a speech perception test at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Participants underwent auditory training for 6 months and used hearing aids for 3 months. Results: Correlations and structural equation modeling suggested that several cognitive domains were associated with speech perception at baseline, but only the Incongruent Stroop cognition measure was associated with hearing loss. Hearing aid use reduced problems with communication, but there were no significant improvements in speech perception, social interaction or cognition. The effect of hearing aids and auditory training for improving depressive symptoms was significant with a moderate to large effect size (Cohen's d=0.87). Conclusion: The small sample size and a relatively high rate of attrition meant that this study was underpowered. However, baseline results suggested relationships between hearing loss, speech perception and cognition, and the hearing intervention provided evidence of reduced depressive symptoms. A full-scale, randomized hearing loss intervention and a longer neuroimaging study with cognitive outcomes measured in the short term as well as after several years of hearing aid use are needed.

BackgroundOlder adults with postlingual sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) exhibit a poor prognosis that not only includes impaired auditory function but also rapid cognitive decline, especially speech-related cognition, in addition to psychosocial dysfunction and an increased risk of dementia. Consistent with this prognosis, individuals with SNHL exhibit global atrophic brain alteration as well as altered neural function and regional brain organization within the cortical substrates that underlie auditory and speech processing. Recent evidence suggests that the use of hearing aids might ameliorate this prognosis.ObjectiveThe objective was to study the effects of a hearing aid use intervention on neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning in individuals with SNHL aged ≥55 years.MethodsAll aspects of this study will be conducted at Swinburne University of Technology (Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia). We will recruit 2 groups (n=30 per group) of individuals with mild to moderate SNHL from both the community and audiology health clinics (Alison Hennessy Audiology, Chelsea Hearing Pty Ltd). These groups will include individuals who have worn a hearing aid for, at least, 12 months or never worn a hearing aid. All participants would be asked to complete, at 2 time points (t) including baseline (t=0) and follow-up (t=6 months), tests of hearing and psychosocial and cognitive function and attend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session. The MRI session will include both structural and functional MRI (sMRI and fMRI) scans, the latter involving the performance of a novel speech processing task.ResultsThis research is funded by the Barbara Dicker Brain Sciences Foundation Grants, the Australian Research Council, Alison Hennessy Audiology, and Chelsea Hearing Pty Ltd under the Industry Transformation Training Centre Scheme (ARC Project #IC140100023). We obtained the ethics approval on November 18, 2017 (Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee protocol number SHR Project 2017/266). The recruitment began in December 2017 and will be completed by December 2020.ConclusionsThis is the first study to assess the effect hearing aid use has on neural, cognitive, and psychosocial factors in individuals with SNHL who have never used hearing aids. Furthermore, this study is expected to clarify the relationships among altered brain structure and function, psychosocial factors, and cognition in response to the hearing aid use.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617001616369; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12617001616369 (Accessed by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/70yatZ9ze)International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/9916

The advent of pediatric inspired regimens has improved the outcome for younger adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), however this comes at a considerable toxicity burden limiting its applicability in older adults. The advent of novel immunotherapies, such as Blinatumomab, an anti-CD19 targeting Bi-specific T-cell engager, has improved outcomes for adults with relapsed refractory and minimal residual disease (MRD) positive B-precursor (BCP) ALL. The Australasian Leukemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) undertook a phase 2 proof-of-concept study to explore the combination of Blinatumomab with reduced intensity chemotherapy in adults with newly diagnosed Ph- BCP ALL. Patients received an initial pre-phase of corticosteroids (Prednisolone 100mg/d, 5 days) followed by a low intensity chemotherapy debulking (Cyclophosphamide 150mg/m 2 BD D1-3, Vincristine 2mg IV D1, 11 and Dexamethasone 10mg/m 2 D1-4, D11-14). Following this patients received Blinatumomab at 9mcg/d days 1-7 and 28mcg/d days 8-28. A B cycle of Hyper-CVAD (Cytarabine 3g/m 2 BD for 4 doses and Methotrexate 1g/m 2 D1 with Methylprednisolone 50mg BD D1-3). Patients then received 3 alternating cycles of Blinatumomab (28mcg/d for 28 days) and B-cycles of Hyper-CVAD followed by 2-years of POMP maintenance in subjects not proceeding to allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) which was at investigator discretion. MRD assessments by ASO-PCR were performed after the first B cycle, second B cycle and prior to maintenance therapy with an MRD response being a level of 10 -4 or less. This analysis is from a pre-specified interim analysis with a data cutoff of 29 th June 2021. 30 patients were enrolled with a median age of 51.7(range, 39.5 - 66.5 years) with 70% male subjects. ECOG performance score was 0 in 14 subjects, 1 in 12 and 2 in 4. High risk disease was identified in 5 subjects (1 t(4;11), 2 hypodiploid, 1 t(1;19) and 1 Ph-like). All patients attained a CR, with 28 at end of 1B and a further 2 at end of 2B. Of 26 patients evaluable for MRD, 70% had achieved an MRD response after cycle 1B and 83% at the end of cycle 2B. 15 patients have ceased study therapy; 6 patients died with progressive disease, 4 subjects exited to allogeneic stem cell transplant, 1 patient was withdrawn due to progressive disease, 1 had intolerable toxicity (peripheral neuropathy) and 1 at investigator discretion. There were no treatment related deaths. 15 remain on protocol in maintenance with the remainder having completed therapy. At data cut-off the median event free survival (EFS) was not reached (95% CI 8.3 months - NA) with an estimated 24 month EFS of 61.8% (95% CI 36.3 - 84.2%) (figure 1A), and similarly the median overall survival (OS) S was not reached (95% CI 21.0 months - NA) with an estimated 24 month OS of 68.6% (95% CI 41.5 - 85.1%)(figure 1B). This predicted EFS was greater than the pre-specified stopping rule of a 24-month EFS of 50%. 2 episodes of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) were recorded (1 grade 2, 1 grade 3) with the major toxicity being infective (53 episodes of sepsis, infection or febrile neutropenia) predominately related to chemotherapy cycles. 7 episodes of neurological toxicity were demonstrated (1 myelopathy and 4 peripheral neuropathy occurring during chemotherapy and 2 encephalopathy occurring during Blinatumomab administration). Overall, the combination of Blinatumomab with chemotherapy was tolerable and appeared efficacious with a high rate of remission and deep MRD responses observed. Responses appeared durable despite a low rate of alloHSCTin first remission. The major toxicity was infective and occurred in the context of chemotherapy cycles. Future developments from this protocol will emphasise further reduction in cytotoxic chemotherapy through incorporation of further novel agents to minimise this toxicity. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Fleming: Servier: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Reynolds: Abbvie: Research Funding; Novartis AG: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Alcon: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Bajel: Abbvie, Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Speakers Bureau. Yeung: BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Verner: Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd: Research Funding. Wei: Abbvie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Genentech, Janssen, MacroGenics, Novartis, Pfizer, and Servier: Honoraria; Novartis, Abbvie, Celgene/BMS: Speakers Bureau; Servier: Consultancy; Abbvie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Novartis, Servier and F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Research Funding; Abbvie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Celgene/BMS, Genentech, Janssen, MacroGenics, Novartis, Pfizer, and Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Former employee of Walter and Eliza Hall Institute: Patents & Royalties: Prof. Andrew Wei is a former employee of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and is eligible for a fraction of the royalty stream related to Venetoclax. Greenwood: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Blinatumomab - usage in front-line therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Background Many current research needs can only be addressed using very large cohorts. In such studies, traditional one-on-one phone, face-to-face, or paper-based engagement may not be feasible. The only realistic mechanism for maintaining engagement and participation at this scale is via digital methods. Given the substantial investment being made into very large birth cohort studies, evidence for optimal methods of participant engagement, participation, and retention over sustained periods without in-person contact from researchers is paramount. Objective This study aims to provide an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating alternative strategies for maximizing participant engagement and retention rates in large-scale studies using digital methods. Methods We used a rapid review method by searching PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE databases from January 2012 to December 2019. Studies evaluating at least 1 e-engagement, participation, or retention strategy were eligible. Articles were screened for relevance based on preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2) measurement tool, and a narrative synthesis of the data was conducted. Results The literature search yielded 19 eligible reviews. Overall, 63% (n=12) of these reviews reported on the effectiveness of e-engagement or participation promotion strategies. These evaluations were generally not conducted within very large observational digital cohorts. Most of the contributing reviews included multipurpose cohort studies (with both observational and interventional elements) conducted in clinical and research settings. Email or SMS text message reminders, SMS text messages or voice notifications, and incentives were the most commonly used design features to engage and retain participants. For parental outcomes, engagement-facilitation interventions influenced uptake and behavior change, including video feedback, goal setting, and intensive human facilitation and support. Participant-stated preferences for content included new knowledge, reminders, solutions, and suggestions about health issues presented in a clear, short, and personalized way. Perinatal and postpartum women valued self-monitoring and personalized feedback. Digital reminders and multiple SMS text messages were specific strategies that were found to increase adherence to medication and clinic attendance, respectively. Conclusions This review adds to the growing literature evaluating methods to optimize engagement and participation that may apply to large-scale studies using digital methods; it is promising that most e-engagement and participation promotion strategies appear to be effective. However, these reviews canvassed relatively few strategies, suggesting that few alternative strategies have been experimentally evaluated. The reviews also revealed a dearth of experimental evidence generated within very large observational digital cohort studies, which may reflect the small number of such studies worldwide. Thus, very large studies may need to proactively build in experimental opportunities to test engagement and retention approaches to enhance the success of their own and other large digital contact studies.

BackgroundSensorineural hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit among older adults. Some of the psychosocial consequences of this condition include difficulty in understanding speech, depression, and social isolation. Studies have shown that older adults with hearing loss show some age-related cognitive decline. Hearing aids have been proven as successful interventions to alleviate sensorineural hearing loss. In addition to hearing aid use, the positive effects of auditory training—formal listening activities designed to optimize speech perception—are now being documented among adults with hearing loss who use hearing aids, especially new hearing aid users. Auditory training has also been shown to produce prolonged cognitive performance improvements. However, there is still little evidence to support the benefits of simultaneous hearing aid use and individualized face-to-face auditory training on cognitive performance in adults with hearing loss.ObjectiveThis study will investigate whether using hearing aids for the first time will improve the impact of individualized face-to-face auditory training on cognition, depression, and social interaction for adults with sensorineural hearing loss. The rationale for this study is based on the hypothesis that, in adults with sensorineural hearing loss, using hearing aids for the first time in combination with individualized face-to-face auditory training will be more effective for improving cognition, depressive symptoms, and social interaction rather than auditory training on its own.MethodsThis is a crossover trial targeting 40 men and women between 50 and 90 years of age with either mild or moderate symmetric sensorineural hearing loss. Consented, willing participants will be recruited from either an independent living accommodation or via a community database to undergo a 6-month intensive face-to-face auditory training program (active control). Participants will be assigned in random order to receive hearing aid (intervention) for either the first 3 or last 3 months of the 6-month auditory training program. Each participant will be tested at baseline, 3, and 6 months using a neuropsychological battery of computer-based cognitive assessments, together with a depression symptom instrument and a social interaction measure. The primary outcome will be cognitive performance with regard to spatial working memory. Secondary outcome measures include other cognition performance measures, depressive symptoms, social interaction, and hearing satisfaction.ResultsData analysis is currently under way and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in June 2018.ConclusionsResults from the study will inform strategies for aural rehabilitation, hearing aid delivery, and future hearing loss intervention trials.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03112850; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03112850 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xz12fD0B).