The Effects of Light Therapy to Treat Cancer-related Side Effects
Breast CancerCircadian Rhythms5 moreSevere fatigue, depression, sleep problems and cognitive impairment are the most commonly reported side effects of cancer treatment. These aversive side effects are hypothesized to be related to the disruption of circadian rhythms associated with cancer and its treatment. Exposure to Bright White Light (BWL) has been found to synchronize the circadian activity rhythms but research with cancer patients has been scarce. Therefore, the proposed randomized control trial (RCT) will test if systematic light exposure (sLE) will minimize overall levels of cancer-related fatigue (CRF), depression, sleep problems and cognitive impairment among breast cancer patients undergoing breast cancer treatment (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy). SLE incorporates the delivery of harmless UV-protected BWL or Dim White Light (DWL - standard comparison in light studies) delivered to patients by using special glasses for 30 minutes each morning, during their treatment. The proposed study, including a delineated comparison condition, will investigate the effects of BWL on CRF, sleep, depression, cognition, circadian rhythms, and inflammation markers among patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. The proposed RCT could have major public health relevance as it will determine if an easy-to-deliver, inexpensive, and low patient burden intervention reduces common side effects (e.g., CRF, depression, cognitive impairment) of cancer treatment (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy). Aim 1 - Assess whether Bright White Light (BWL) compared with Dim White Light (DWL) among breast cancer patients undergoing breast cancer treatment will minimize overall levels of CRF, depression, sleep problems, and cognitive impairment during and after breast cancer treatment, compared to healthy controls. Aim 2 - Determine whether the BWL intervention affects cortisol rhythms, circadian activity rhythms, melatonin rhythms, and inflammation markers that have been identified as correlates/causes of cancer-related side effects (e.g., CRF, depression, sleep problems). Aim 3 - Exploratory: Explore whether the effects of BWL compared to DWL on the cancer-related side effects (e.g., CRF, cognitive impairment) are mediated by the beneficial effects of the BWL in synchronizing circadian rhythms. Aim 4 - Exploratory: Explore potential moderators of the intervention including seasonality, chronobiology, personality, and social factors.
A Proof-of-Concept Trial on the Effect of Ketamine on Fatigue
FatigueBackground: Many people experience fatigue as a side effect of their illnesses and treatments. There are no medicines to treat fatigue, but a drug called ketamine has reduced fatigue in depressed people. Researchers hope that ketamine, compared to a drug called midazolam, can reduce fatigue in people with illnesses. Objective: To test whether ketamine reduces fatigue in cancer survivors and people with chronic illness. Eligibility: Adults between the ages of 18 and 70 who have fatigue and are cancer survivors or have been diagnosed with a chronic illness such as chronic fatigue syndrome and lupus. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, blood and urine tests, questions about their fatigue, and breathalyzer test. During phase 1, participants will complete rating their fatigue using questionnaires. They will be provided thinking, memory, and motivation tests. They will also take a handgrip test. For this study, the participant will have an IV, which a needle guides a thin plastic tube (intravenous or IV line) into an arm in their vein. An IV will be required for two of the visits. They will get a single dose of either ketamine or midazolam through an IV line over 40 minutes. Participants must be accompanied by a responsible friend/family/colleague to take them home after getting the study drug. Participants will have follow-up visits where they repeat the above tests. They will also have follow-up phone calls. Phase 2 is the same as phase 1, but participants get the other study drug. The study lasts 1 month. Each phase lasts 2 weeks. Participants will have 6-8 total NIH visits. For the whole study, they will wear a device on their wrists that records physical activity. Drug side effects can include vivid dreams, seeing colors, perceiving time as moving slower or faster than normal, dizziness, headache, restlessness, nausea, or vomiting, among others.
A Trial to Assess the Effect of Transfusion Strategies on Fatigability Levels After Hospital Discharge...
AnemiaRed Blood Cell Transfusion3 moreThis study is a randomized controlled trial in which hospitalized patients with anemia are randomized to receive transfusion at: a) Hb<9g/dL (liberal transfusion strategy), or b) Hb<7g/dL (restrictive transfusion strategy). We are measuring self-reported fatigability, fatigue, and activity levels at randomization and 7 days post hospital discharge in both trial arms. In a subset of 75 patients in each trial arm (150 total), we will are administering the 6 Minute Walk Test at randomization and 7 days post discharge.
Role of Oxygen in the Development of Fatigue in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Failure
Failure PulmonaryCOPDThe literature on the physiological response (vasodilation, neuromuscular fatigue, and muscle oxygenation) following the application of different dosages of oxygen therapy in patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF) and Long-Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) during exercise is scant. The evaluation of these aspects can allow the clinicians and the rehabilitation staff to correctly dose the oxygen therapy at rest and during exercise and to reach a higher level of improvement after training. For this purpose, we will recruit 20 patients admitted to the Pulmonary Unit of the ICS Maugeri in Lumezzane (BS) with the presence of CRF defined as PaO2 at room air less than 60 mmHg, the need for LTOT since 3 months, and with a stable clinical condition. This is a crossover study and will last 3 days. We will test the same subject, randomly, in the following three conditions: A) CONDITION ROOM AIR: patient will breathe room air through the Venturi mask (Vmask FiO2 21%) and will be considered as "sham condition" B) CONDITION FiO2 30%: the subject will breathe through a Venturi mask with a FiO2 of 30%. C) CONDITION FiO2 60%: the subject will breathe through a Venturi mask with a FiO2 of 60%. During each condition, we will evaluate: a) oxygen saturation (SatO2), transcutaneous paCO2 value (tcCO2), BORG fatigue and dyspnea, blood gas analysis; b) mitochondrial function through the Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy and c) vascular function by Single Passive Leg Movement (sPLM) technique; d) central and peripheral neuromuscular fatigue after a submaximal intermittent isometric contraction. The present project will help to understand the best doses of oxygen therapy to allow patients to achieve a higher level of vasodilation and mitochondrial function and a lower level of neuromuscular fatigue. We could apply these results to the rehabilitation program in order to get a greater level of improvement in exercise tolerance.
Digital Coaching With" Physical Activity on Prescription ( FaR) to Increase Physical Activity and...
TreatmentStroke is the leading cause in the world considering disabilities and approximately half of the patient population experience post stroke fatigue (PSF). PSF affects the patients level of activity and their quality of life. Even patients with mild stroke claim that PSF is one of the main reasons hindering them from being physically active. People suffering from stroke generally have lower physical capacity compared to healthy individuals of the same age and they are spending more time in sedentary. Physical inactivity is considered to be one of the main modifiable risk factors for stroke. There is strong evidence that physical activity will improve health and reduce the risk of future strokes. Evaluation of interventions to reduce PSF is a prioritized research field since it is currently lacking evidence. There is a possibility that physical training can have a positive effect on PSF. Digital alternatives to on-site visits will increase the availability and can strengthen the patients independence which is according to the government and Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner ( SKR) common vision for e-health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of individualized, digital coaching twice a week for 12 weeks with "Physical activity on prescription" (FaR) to increase physical activity and reduce PSF after stroke.
Mindful Waiting Room
Anxiety StateDepressive State4 moreThis will be a single-site, five-arm, parallel group randomized control trial involving patients seeking integrative healthcare. Four different styles of 5-minute, audio-recoded mindfulness practices delivered in the clinic waiting room will be compared with a 5-minute audio-recording about integrative healthcare. A secondary sub-analysis will investigate the most effective mindfulness practice style for patients presenting at the clinic with elevated anxiety, depression, or pain.
Lutein Supplementation in Healthy Children
Eye FatigueDiet2 moreThis is a single site, randomized, double-blind placebo controlled parallel arm study assessing the effects of 6 months lutein supplementation on cognitive and visual outcomes in healthy children exposed to excessive digital screen time.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation Versus Resistive Training On Physical Measures, And Fatigue In Hemodialysis...
HemodialysisFatigueThe aim of this study is to compare effect of intradialytic NMES versus resistive training on physical measures and fatigue in HDP.
MS Fatigue and tDCS on Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis
Fatigue in Multiple SclerosisThe available therapeutic strategies for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-related symptoms are usually faced with limited efficacy and numerous side effects. Patients with MS frequently suffer from fatigue, affective symptoms, and cognitive deficits.
Effects of Natural Sounds on Attention Restoration in Virtual Reality
Cognitive FatigueMental Fatigue3 moreThis study aims to examine whether listening to natural sounds in a noisy virtual reality environment compared to no natural sounds influences physiological markers.