Dr Florien Boele

Associate Professor of Medical Psychology

Phone: 0113 206 8504

Email: F.Boele@leeds.ac.uk
 

Florien joined the Patient Centred Outcomes Group in October 2016. She is an Associate Professor supported by a Yorkshire Cancer Research University Academic Fellowship – a shared post between the LIHS Academic Unit of Health Economics and the LIMR Patient Reported Outcomes Group.

She has a background in neuropsychology and completed her PhD studies at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 2015. A Niels Stensen Fellowship allowed her to continue her research at the University of Pittsburgh (USA) and at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh (UK) before moving to the University of Leeds.
 

Research Interests

Florien’s research interests include family caregiving, quality of life and symptom management in (neuro-)oncology. She is currently involved in EORTC funded studies focused on developing or updating questionnaires specific to the brain tumour population, and international collaborations around the disease burden of long-term survivors of primary brain tumours and their family caregivers.
 

Teaching

Florien teaches on the Research, Evaluation and Special Studies and Extended Student-led Research or Evaluation Project (RESS and ESREP) modules of the MBChB course. Florien also provides project supervision for the Intercalated Medical Education BSc.

Research Students

PhD student Emma Nicklin (Support needs of young brain tumour survivors and their caregivers)

PhD student Sé Frances (understanding long-term implications of rare brain tumours)

DClin student Sarah Rudkin (Patient experiences of interval scanning in primary brain tumours)

DClin trainee Rachel Dodds (Evaluating service users’ experience of completing online cognitive assessment in acquired brain injury services)

DClin trainee Rebecca Day (Online cognitive assessments: perspective of service users in stroke services)


 Professional activities

NCRI Psychosocial Oncology & Survivorship Clinical Studies Group (trainee)
NCRI Brain Supportive and Palliative Care Subgroup (member)
Cochrane collaboration
EORTC Quality of Life group
European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO)
EANO Scientific Committee
British Psychosocial Oncology Society
 

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Oort Q, Dirven L, Sikkes SAM, (…), Boele FW, (…), Taphoorn MJB (2022). Do neurocognitive impairments explain the differences between brain tumor patients and their proxies when assessing the patient’s IADL? Neuro-Oncology Practice, Epub ahead of print.

Frances SM, Velikova G, Klein M, (…), Boele FW (2021). Long-term impact of adult WHO grade II or III glioma on health-related quality of life: a systematic review. Neuro-Oncology Practice, 9(1):3-17.

Boele FW, Weimer JM, Marsland AL, (…), Sherwood PR (2021). The effects of SmartCare on neuro-oncology caregivers’ distress: a randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(3):2059-2068

Nicklin E, Velikova G, Glaser A, (…), Boele FW (2021). Long-term unmet supportive care needs of teenage and young adult (TYA) childhood brain tumour survivors and their caregivers: a cross-sectional survey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(3):1981-1992.

Fischer F, Zamanipoor Najafabadi A, van der Meer P, Boele F, Peerdeman S, Peul W, Taphoorn M, Dirven L, van Furth W (2021). Long-term health-related quality of life and neurocognitive functioning after treatment in skull base meningioma patients. Journal of Neurosurgery, 136(4):1077-1089.

Furukawa T, Suganuma A, Ostinelli E, (…), Boele F, (…), Cuijpers P (2021). Dismantling, optimising, and personalising internet cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: a systematic review and component network meta-analysis using individual participant data. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(6):500-511.

Dirven L, Musoro JZ, Coens C, Reijneveld JC, Taphoorn MJB, Boele FW, Groenvold M, van den Bent MJ, Stupp R, Velikova G, Cocks K, Sprangers MAG, King MT, Flechtner H-H, Bottomley A, EORTC Brain Tumor Group and Quality of Life Groups (2021). Establishing anchor-based minimally important differences for the EORTC QLQ-C30 in glioma patients. Neuro-Oncology, 23(8): 1327-1336.

Nicklin E, Pointon L, Glaser A, Sarwar N, Kwok-Williams M, Debono M, Velikova G, Boele F (2021). Unmet support needs in teenage and young adult childhood brain tumour survivors and their caregivers: ‘It’s all the aftermath, and then you’re forgotten about’. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(11):6315-6324

Ellen JG, Boele FW, Hellman B, Duprey K, Nayak L, Morris J (2021). Pilot study of smartphone-based health outcome tracking (OurBrainBank) for glioblastoma patients. Neuro-Oncology Practice, 8(6):684-690.

Boele FW, Weimer J, Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, Murray L, Given CW, Given BA, Donovan HS, Drappatz J, Lieberman FS, Sherwood PR (2021). The added value of family caregivers’ level of mastery in predicting survival of glioblastoma patients: a validation study. Cancer Nursing, accepted for publication. 

Dalmia S, Boele F, Absolom K, (…), Pompili C (2021). Shared decision-making in early stage non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, S0003-4975(21)00237-X.

Booth TC, Thompson G, Bulbeck H,Boele F, (…), Jenkinson M (2021). A position statement on the utility of interval imaging in standard of care brain tumour management: defining the evidence gap and opportunities for future research. Frontiers in Oncology, 11:620070.

Oort Q, Dirven L, Sikkes SAM, (…), Boele F, (…), Taphoorn MJB(2021). Development of an EORTC questionnaire measuring instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in patients with brain tumours: phase I-III. Quality of Life Research, 30(5):1491-1502.

Boele F*, Adejoh S*, Akeju D, (…), Allsop M (2020). The role, impact and support of informal caregivers in the delivery of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: a multi-country qualitative study. Palliative Medicine, 0269216320974925. *shared first authors.

Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, van der Meer PB, Boele FW, (…),Taphoorn MJB (2020). The long-term caregiver burden in WHO grade I and II meningioma: it’s not just the patient. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 3(1):vdaa169.

Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, van der Meer PB, Boele FW, (…),Dirven L (2020). Derminants and predictors for the long-term disease burden of intracranial meningioma patients. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 151(2): 201-210.

Beavers Z, Sana H, Boele F, Rooney AL (2020). Pharmacological treatment for depression in patients with primary brain tumour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;7:CD006932.

Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, van der Meer PB, Boele FW, (…),Dirven L (2020). Long-term disease burden and survivorshipissues after surgery and radiotherapy of intracranial meningiomapatients. Neurosurgery, nyaa351.

Pompili C, Boele F, Absolom K, (…), Velikova G (2020). Patientviews of routine quality of life assessment following a diagnosisof early stage non-small cell lung cancer.
Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 31(3)324-330.

Boele FW, Meads D, Jansen F, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Heimans JJ, Reijnveld JC, Short SC, Klein M (2020). Health-care utilization and productivity loss in glioma patients and their family caregivers: the impact of treatable psychological symptoms. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 147(2):485-494.

Nicklin E, Velikova G, Boele F (2020). Technology is the future, but who are we leaving behind? The Lancet Oncology, 21(1):P29.

Le Rhun E, Dirven L, Niclou S, Short S, Piil K, Boele F, Ruda R, Theodorou M, Brandsma D, Weller M, van den Bent M, on behalf of the EANO Women in Neuro-Oncology committee (2020). Gender issues from the perspective of healthcare professionals in neuro-oncology: an EANO & EORTC Brain Tumor Group survey. Neuro-Oncology Practice, Epub ahead of print.

Boele FW, Harley C, Pini S, Kenyon L, Daffu-O’Reilly A, Velikova G (2019). Cancer as a chronic illness: support needs and experiences. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, Epub ahead of print.

Boele FW, Rooney AG, Bulbeck H, Sherwood P (2019). Interventions to help support caregivers of people with a brain or spinal cord tumour [review]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019,7: CD012582.

Nicklin E, Velikova G, Hulme C, Rodriguez Lopez R, Glaser A, Kwok-Williams M, Boele F (2019). Long term issues and supportive care needs of adolescent and young adult childhood brain tumour survivors and their caregivers: A systematic review. Psycho-Oncology, 28(3):477-487.

Boele FW, Terhorst L, Prince J, Donovan HS, Weimer J, Lieberman FS, Drappatz J, Sherwood PR (2019). Psychometric evaluation of the Caregiver Needs Screen in neuro-oncology family caregivers. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 27(2):162-176.

Lindner OC, McCabe MG, Boele F, Mayes A, Talmi D, Radford J, Wearden A (2018). Discussing factors associated with quality of life in cancer follow-up appointments: A preliminary test of a pragmatic model for clinical practice. Clinical Rehabilitation, 33(4):762-772.

Boele FW, Klein M, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Cuijpers P, Heimans JJ, Snijders TJ, Vos M, Bosma I, Tijssen CC, Reijneveld JC (2018). Internet-based guided self-help for glioma patients with depressive symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 137(1):191-203.

Boele FW, van Uden-Kraan CF, Hilverda K, Weimer J, Donovan HS, Drappatz J, Lieberman FS, Verdonck-de Leeuw I, Sherwood PR (2017). Neuro-oncology family caregivers’ view on keeping track of care issues using eHealth systems: it’s a question of time. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 134(1):157-67.

Boele FW, Grant R & Sherwood PR (2017). Challenges and support for family caregivers of glioma patients. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 13(1):8-16.

Boele FW, Given CW, Given BA, (…), Sherwood PR (2017). Familycaregivers’ level of mastery predicts survival of patients withglioblastoma: a preliminary report.
Cancer, 123(5):832-840.

Day J, Gillespie DC, Rooney AG, Bulbeck HJ, Zienius K, Boele FW & Grant R (2016). Neurocognitive deficits   and   neurocognitive rehabilitation in adult brain tumors. Current Treatment Options in Neurology, 18(5):22.

Sherwood PR, Price TJ, Weimer J, Ren D, Donovan HS, Given CW, Given BA, Schulz R, Prince J, Boele FW & Marsland AL (2016). Neuro-oncology family caregivers are at risk for systemic inflammation. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 128(1):109-18.

Boele FW, van Uden-Kraan CF, Hilverda K, Reijneveld JC, Cleijne W, Klein M & Verdonck-de Leeuw IM (2016). Attitudes and preferences toward monitoring symptoms, distress, and quality of life in glioma patients and their informal caregivers. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(7):3011-22.

Boele FW, Douw L, Reijneveld JC, Robben R, Taphoorn MJB, Aaronson NK, Heimans JJ & Klein M (2015). Health-related quality of life in stable, long-term low-grade glioma survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33(9):1023-1029.

Boele FW, Schilder CT, de Roode ML, Deijen JB & Schagen SB (2015). Cognitive functioning during long term tamoxifen treatment in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Menopause, 22(1):17-25.

Boele FW, Rooney AG, Grant R, Klein M (2015). Psychiatricsymptoms in glioma patients: from diagnosis to management. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
, 11: 1413-1420.

Boele FW, Klein M, Reijneveld JC, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM & Heimans JJ (2014). Symptom management and quality of life in glioma patients. CNS Oncology, 3(1): 37-47.

Boele FW, Zant M, Heine EH, Aaronson NK, Taphoorn MJB, Reijneveld JC, Postma TJ, Heimans JJ & Klein M (2014). The association between cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life in low-grade glioma patients. Neuro-Oncology Practice, npu007.

Boele FW, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Cuijpers P, Reijneveld JC, Heimans JJ & Klein M (2014). Internet-based guided self-help for glioma patients with depressive symptoms: design of a randomized, controlled trial. BMC Neurology, 14:81.

Boele FW, Hoeben W, Hilverda K, Lenting J, Calis A, Sizoo EM, Collette EH, Heimans JJ, Taphoorn MJB, Reijneveld JC & Klein M (2013). Enhancing quality of life and mastery of informal caregivers of high-grade glioma patients: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 111(3): 303-311.

Boele FW, Douw L, de Groot M, van Thuijl HF, Cleijne W, Heimans JJ, Taphoorn MJB, Reijneveld JC & Klein M (2013). The effect of modafinil on fatigue, depression and cognition in patients with a primary brain tumor: a multi-center, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Neuro-Oncology, 15(10): 1420-1428.

Boele FW, Hoeben W, Hilverda K, Lenting J, Calis AL, Sizoo EM, Collette EH, Aaronson NK, Taphoorn MJB, Postma TJ, Reijneveld JC, Heimans JJ & Klein M (2013). [Quality of life in informal caregivers of patients with a primary brain tumor]. Tijdschrift voor Neuropsychologie, 8: 97-106.

Boele FW, Heimans JJ, Aaronson NK, Taphoorn MJB, Postma TJ, Reijneveld JC & Klein (2013). Health-related quality of life of significant others of patients with malignant CNS vs. non-CNS tumors: a comparative study. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 115(1): 87-94.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Boele FW, Dirven L, Koekkoek JF & Taphoorn MJB (2017). Health-related quality of life and neurocognitive functioning afterglioblastoma treatment. In S Brem & KG Abdullah (Eds), Glioblastoma (pp.253-63). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

PUBLICATIONS IN DUTCH

Boele FW, Hoeben W, Hilverda K, Lenting J, Calis AL, Sizoo EM, Collette EH, Aaronson NK, Taphoorn MJB, Postma TJ, Reijneveld JC, Heimans JJ & Klein M (2013). [Quality of life in informal caregivers of patients with a primary brain tumor]. Tijdschrift voor Neuropsychologie, 8: 97-106.

Boele FW, Heater S & Boezeman E (2011). [Psychological ownership of the group and volunteering]. In JW van Prooijen, M Stel, RA Renes, MLW Vliek & B Derks (Ed.), Jaarboek Sociale Psychologie 2010. Delft: Eburon.