Examining the Effects of One-Month Probiotic Treatment on Mental Fatigue
Mental FatigueCognitive Function1 moreThe aim of this study is to demonstrate the effects of 28-days supplementation with a novel probiotic formulation on mental fatigue following a cognitive load in healthy adults. Half of the participants will receive the probiotic formulation while the other half will receive placebo.
Improving Symptom Management for Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers Through Internet
FatigueBeing diagnosed and treated for cancer is usually associated with severe side effects and symptoms. Cancer patients can have difficulty to manage the symptoms as a result of treatment which may cause i) an interruption or cessation of cancer treatment ii) can have a negative impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). Family caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients are often the primary source of social and emotional support for patients, and play major roles in how well patients manage with the consequences of illness and treatment. Thus, FCs are clinically important, since supporting FCs indirectly supports patients. To help both cancer patients and their FCs to manage their symptoms, our center has developed WebChoice now called Connect, an internet based support system that extends traditional health services into cancer patients' homes. Connect provides individualized symptom management support, illness relevant information, and communication with a clinical nurse specialist in cancer care, as well as with other cancer patients and their FCs over the Internet. The objectives of this interdisciplinary research project are to test main and interaction effects of providing Connect to patients, to FCs or both simultaneously on 1) primary patient outcomes in terms of symptom distress, QoL, depression, fatigue and sleep 2) Primary FC outcomes in terms of symptom distress, QoL, depression, fatigue, sleep and FC burden 3) Secondary, or intermediate, patient and FC outcomes in terms of self-efficacy social support, and self-reported health care utilization.
A Brief Patient-Controlled Intervention for a Symptom Cluster in Advanced Cancer
PainFatigue2 moreThe purpose of the research is to test the efficacy of a patient-controlled cognitive-behavioral intervention for pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance during cancer treatment, and to evaluate moderators and mediators of intervention effects. The intervention uses guided imagery, relaxation exercises, and nature sound recordings, self-administered via an MP3 player. The study will determine (1) if the intervention helps to control symptoms during chemotherapy, (2) if personal and clinical characteristics influence how well the intervention works, and (3) if the cognitive-behavioral strategies reduce markers of stress and inflammation found in blood and saliva.
Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses After Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Postcancer Fatigue...
Postcancer FatigueChronic Fatigue SyndromePostcancer fatigue (PCF) is a frequently occurring, severe and invalidating problem, impairing quality of life. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) also suffer from severe fatigue symptoms. Although it is possible to effectively treat CFS, the nature of the underlying physiology remains unclear. The presence of an underlying immunological problem has been suggested as an explanation for PCF and CFS. The aim of this study is to compare the humoral and cellular immune responses upon influenza vaccination in PCF patients, CFS patients, non-fatigued cancer survivors, and healthy controls. PCF (n=20) and CFS patients (n=20) will be vaccinated against influenza. Age and gender matched non-fatigued cancer survivors (n=20) and healthy controls (n=20) will be included for comparison. Antibody responses will be measured at baseline and at day 21 by a hemagglutination inhibition test. T cell responses will be measured at baseline and at day 7 by lymphocyte proliferation, activation, and cytokine secretion.
Effect of Phytochemicals From Theobroma Cacao on Mental Energy
Mental FatigueThe purpose of this study is to determine which substances in cocoa produces changes in mental energy. This is a double blind study. The primary outcome measures are performance on tasks of sustained attention (serial subtract, continuous performance test and Bakan task) at pre and 90, 120 and 160 minutes post intervention, energy and fatigue symptoms (profile of mood state), and ratings of motivation to perform cognitive tasks. The assigned interventions are the following:
Multicentre, Double-blind Study Versus Placebo on Impact and Safety of Extramel® 140 IU on Perceived...
Life StressFatigue2 moreObjectives of this Multicentre, double-blind study versus placebo were to evaluate impact and safety of the daily administration of Extramel® 140 IU SOD for 12 weeks on perceived stress, physical and intellectual fatigue, pain perception, if present, and the impact on the quality of life of 70 subjects included with 60 that can be evaluated.
Fatigue Countermeasure Program in Operational Flight Controllers
FatigueThe purpose of this study is to validate the acceptability, operational feasibility and efficacy of a combined fatigue countermeasure comprised of shorter-wavelength light and exercise during operational Orbit 1 night shifts to improve alertness and performance of flight mission controllers. Specifically, the investigators will: Feasibility. Test the feasibility of developing a break room containing fatigue countermeasures (shorter-wavelength light and exercise equipment) to be used by flight mission controllers during Orbit 1 night shifts, and the feasibility to schedule regular breaks during the Orbit 1 shift so that flight mission controllers have the opportunity to use the fatigue countermeasures break room. Acceptability. Test the acceptability of the use of the fatigue countermeasures break room evaluating when and how the room is used by flight mission controllers, as measured on End-of-Shift Productivity Questionnaire. Test the hypothesis that alertness and performance will be impaired in flight mission controllers during Orbit 1 operational night shifts as compared to flight mission controllers working a non-console day shift. Test the hypothesis that alertness and performance of flight mission controllers who exercise and are exposed to shorter wavelength light during the Orbit 1 night shift will be significantly more alert and have better mood, performance (e.g., less Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) lapses, increased productivity) than those same mission controllers working Orbit 1 night shifts without exposure to the shorter wavelength light and exercise. Test the acceptability, operational feasibility and efficacy of implementing an anonymous sleep disorders screening for flight controllers, evaluated by number of visitors to the screening web site and the number of completed assessments.
Guanidinoacetic Acid Loading for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition of unknown etiology. Recent studies have shown that CFS is associated with impaired cellular energetics and low levels of phosphocreatine. Since guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) acts as a highly bioavailable precursor of creatine it may provide an ideal dietary supplement to facilitate treatment and perhaps prevention of CFS. The overall hypothesis to be evaluated is that medium-term supplementation with GAA will improve clinical outcomes in well-defined adult CFS patients via augmented provision of creatine. Specific aims: (1) To determine the effects of GAA on CFS symptomatology using a fatigue severity inventory, soreness of locomotive apparatus scales, and a health-related quality of life survey; (2) To determine the effect of GAA on creatine metabolism using laboratory studies and magnetic resonance spectroscopy; (3) To characterize the physiological effects of GAA on work capacity via actigraphy and exercise performance tests; and (4); To determine the prevalence of subjectively reported side-effects and biochemical adverse events associated with GAA intervention.
The Effect of 3D Autostereoscopic Video-game Play on the Visual Fatigue in Children
Visual FatigueThis study aims to examine the specific effect that 3D game play has on the control of the eyes horizontal movements. It will examine the youngest group of consumers this technology is marketed to, 7 to 11-year-olds and no children under 7 years of age will be recruited to this study as per Nintendo's hardware guidelines, which recommends that children under 7 years of age not play in 3D mode. It will examine the effect of playing in 3D for 30 minutes on horizontal fusional amplitudes compared with a control group playing in 2D for 30 minutes.
The SleepTrackTXT2 Randomized Trial With Air-medical Personnel
Poor Quality SleepFatigueThe overarching goal of this proposal is to address the MedEvac foundation priority of educational techniques and technologies and improve Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) safety by determining if overall sleep quality and intra-shift fatigue of HEMS clinicians can be improved with real-time assessment and intervention. Aim 1: To determine the short-term impact of an enhanced SleepTrackTXT intervention on HEMS clinician fatigue reported in real-time during and at the end of shift work. Aim 2: To determine the long-term impact of the SleepTrackTXT intervention on sleep quality and sleep health indicators including hours of sleep and recovery between shift work.