Trial Outcomes & Findings for Lighting Intervention for Cancer-related Fatigue (NCT NCT04827446)

NCT ID: NCT04827446

Last Updated: 2025-07-09

Results Overview

The primary outcome was PROMIS® Fatigue 4a Short Form (SF) at the end of trial, compared between arms. As we did not have a PROMIS® 4-item Fatigue weekly measurement for week 0, we were unable to calculate a change from baseline through this measure alone. We assessed this outcome by looking at differences in fatigue between the intervention and control group at the final week (week 11), and the treatment effect on fatigue at week 11 while controlling (through generalized estimating equations) for baseline fatigue with the 1-item Fatigue question ("In the past 7 days, how would you rate your fatigue on average?") taken from the pre-trial PROMIS® Global Health survey. The 1-item question about fatigue on the pre and post-trial Global Health surveys was scored on a scale from 0 (least fatigued) to 4 (most fatigued).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

139 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

11 weeks

Results posted on

2025-07-09

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Intervention Arm
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Overall Study
STARTED
70
69
Overall Study
COMPLETED
65
66
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
3

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Intervention Arm
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
1
1
Overall Study
Death
2
0
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
2
2

Baseline Characteristics

Separated by arm and cancer population

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Total
n=131 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Customized
Breast
52.09 years
n=23 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
57 years
n=23 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
54.55 years
n=46 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
Age, Customized
Prostate
70.24 years
n=21 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
67.24 years
n=21 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
68.74 years
n=42 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
Age, Customized
HSCT
54.95 years
n=21 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
53.91 years
n=22 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
54.43 years
n=43 Participants • Separated by arm and cancer population
Sex: Female, Male
Female
35 Participants
n=65 Participants
35 Participants
n=66 Participants
70 Participants
n=131 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
30 Participants
n=65 Participants
31 Participants
n=66 Participants
61 Participants
n=131 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants
n=65 Participants
0 Participants
n=66 Participants
4 Participants
n=131 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
60 Participants
n=65 Participants
64 Participants
n=66 Participants
124 Participants
n=131 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants
n=65 Participants
2 Participants
n=66 Participants
3 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=65 Participants
0 Participants
n=66 Participants
0 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
n=65 Participants
1 Participants
n=66 Participants
2 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=65 Participants
0 Participants
n=66 Participants
0 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=65 Participants
5 Participants
n=66 Participants
7 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
60 Participants
n=65 Participants
59 Participants
n=66 Participants
119 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=65 Participants
0 Participants
n=66 Participants
0 Participants
n=131 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
n=65 Participants
1 Participants
n=66 Participants
3 Participants
n=131 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
65 participants
n=65 Participants
66 participants
n=66 Participants
131 participants
n=131 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 11 weeks

The primary outcome was PROMIS® Fatigue 4a Short Form (SF) at the end of trial, compared between arms. As we did not have a PROMIS® 4-item Fatigue weekly measurement for week 0, we were unable to calculate a change from baseline through this measure alone. We assessed this outcome by looking at differences in fatigue between the intervention and control group at the final week (week 11), and the treatment effect on fatigue at week 11 while controlling (through generalized estimating equations) for baseline fatigue with the 1-item Fatigue question ("In the past 7 days, how would you rate your fatigue on average?") taken from the pre-trial PROMIS® Global Health survey. The 1-item question about fatigue on the pre and post-trial Global Health surveys was scored on a scale from 0 (least fatigued) to 4 (most fatigued).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Change in Fatigue Assessed With Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Short Form (SF) Fatigue 4a
Week 1 fatigue T-scores
2.18 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.68
2.03 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.53
Change in Fatigue Assessed With Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Short Form (SF) Fatigue 4a
Week 11 fatigue T-scores
1.70 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.74
1.58 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.61

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 12 weeks

8-item PROMIS sleep disturbance questionnaire completed on the first day and last day of the patient's time on study. Each item is on a scale of 1 - 5, best (1) to worst (5). Mean scores are to be compared between the pre-trial and post-trial assessments. A higher score indicates more severe sleep disturbance. The T-Score metric is used to convert the raw score to a standard score, the T-score represents a standardized measure of sleep disturbance, with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Change in Level of Sleep Disturbance Using PROMIS SF Sleep Disturbance 8a
Pre-trial
55.84 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.81
53.71 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.29
Change in Level of Sleep Disturbance Using PROMIS SF Sleep Disturbance 8a
Post- Trial
51.85 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.31
52.06 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.03

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 12 weeks

7-item PROMIS anxiety questionnaire completed on the first day and last day of the patient's time on study. Each item is on a scale of 1 - 5, best (1) to worst (5). Mean scores are to be compared between the pre-trial and post-trial assessments. A higher score indicates greater anxiety levels. The T-Score metric is used to convert the raw score to a standard score and the range is around 36-74 with a mean score around 50.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Change in Level of Anxiety Using PROMIS SF Anxiety 7a
Pre-trial
53.16 T Score
Standard Deviation 9.06
51.71 T Score
Standard Deviation 7.73
Change in Level of Anxiety Using PROMIS SF Anxiety 7a
Post-trial
50.54 T Score
Standard Deviation 8.98
50.93 T Score
Standard Deviation 7.17

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 12 weeks

8-item PROMIS depression questionnaire completed on the first day and last day of the patient's time on study. Each item is on a scale of 1 - 5, best (1) to worst (5). Mean scores are to be compared between the pre-trial and post-trial assessments. A higher score indicates greater severity of depression. The T-Score metric is used to convert the raw score to a standard score and a typical range is around 40-60. T-scores are standardized, with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Change in Level of Depression Using PROMIS SF Depression 8a
Pre-trial
50.94 T Score
Standard Deviation 7.55
49.90 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.76
Change in Level of Depression Using PROMIS SF Depression 8a
Post-trial
49.25 T Score
Standard Deviation 8.25
48.03 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.75

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 12 weeks

8-item PROMIS physical function questionnaire completed on the first day and last day of the patient's time on study. Each item is on a scale of 1 - 5, best (1) to worst (5). Mean scores are to be compared between the pre-trial and post-trial assessments. A higher score indicates better physical function. The T-Score metric is used to convert the raw score to a standard score. The T-score has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Change in Level of Physical Function Using PROMIS SF Physical Function 8b
Pre-Trial
43.25 T Score
Standard Deviation 8.20
45.07 T Score
Standard Deviation 8.03
Change in Level of Physical Function Using PROMIS SF Physical Function 8b
Post- Trial
44.66 T Score
Standard Deviation 8.31
46.40 T Score
Standard Deviation 7.71

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 12 weeks

PROMIS Global-10 is a 10-question survey used as an overall evaluation of one's physical and mental health. Mean scores are to be compared between the pre-trial and post-trial assessments for both physical and mental health. A higher score indicates better overall health. The T-Score metric is used to convert the raw score to a standard score and a typical range is 0-100. The T-score has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention Arm
n=65 Participants
Light intervention delivered through SYNC app + blue-light blocking glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Blue-blocking glasses: Patient is given blue-blocking glasses to wear at instructed times. Full SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have a targeted, personalized effect on the circadian clock.
Control Arm
n=66 Participants
Placebo light intervention delivered through SYNC app + clear glasses. Wearable Sensor: Patient is given a wearable device to wear for 12 weeks. Clear glasses: Patient is given glasses that block no visible light. "Dummy" SYNC app: Patient downloads the SYNC app and is given light interventions designed to have minimal impact on the circadian clock.
Change in Overall Health Metrics Using PROMIS Global-10
Pre-trial Physical Health
41.67 T Score
Standard Deviation 5.66
42.82 T Score
Standard Deviation 4.45
Change in Overall Health Metrics Using PROMIS Global-10
Post-trial Physical Health
42.96 T Score
Standard Deviation 5.76
44.16 T Score
Standard Deviation 4.81
Change in Overall Health Metrics Using PROMIS Global-10
Pre-trial Mental Health
46.24 T Score
Standard Deviation 7.45
47.61 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.37
Change in Overall Health Metrics Using PROMIS Global-10
Post-trial Mental Health
47.31 T Score
Standard Deviation 8.06
47.38 T Score
Standard Deviation 6.51

Adverse Events

Intervention Arm

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 2 deaths

Control Arm

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 4 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center ClinicalTrials.gov Admin

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Phone: 734-936-9499

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place