Intervention for Fatigue in HCT Recipients

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess whether a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for fatigue intervention is acceptable, feasible, and effective at managing fatigue and improving quality of life for patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT).

Conditions

  • Hematologic Cancer
  • Hematologic Malignancy

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • adult patients (≥ 18 years) - have the ability to speak and read English - have undergone autologous or allogeneic transplant > 6 months prior to enrollment - no evidence of disease relapse requiring therapy - report moderate to severe fatigue in the past week (FSI average severity item rating ≥ 4 of 0-10) - are currently receiving their care at the MGH Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic

Exclusion Criteria

  • Patients with active cognitive impairment or uncontrolled psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia that the treating clinician believes prohibits informed consent or participation in the intervention - Patients already receiving CBT care

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Supportive Care
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
CBT for Fatigue Program
Screening for eligibility will use the Fatigue Symptoms Inventory (FSI) average severity item over the prior week. Scores of ≥4 of 0-10 will be invited to participate. 30 participants will be enrolled and will complete study procedures as outlined: - Baseline questionnaires. - 10 intervention sessions. - Questionnaires and surveys 3 and 5 months after enrollment.
  • Behavioral: CBT for Fatigue
    10, individualized counseling sessions with a behavioral health counselor via Zoom platform.
Active Comparator
Usual Care
Screening for eligibility will use the Fatigue Symptoms Inventory (FSI) average severity item over the prior week. Scores of ≥4 of 0-10 will be invited to participate. 30 participants will be enrolled and will complete study procedures as outlined: - Baseline questionnaires. - Receive material from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Information Network describing common medical causes of fatigue after HCT and recommendations for management. - Questionnaires and surveys 3 and 5 months after enrollment.
  • Behavioral: Usual Care
    Standard transplant care.

Recruiting Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Contact:
Ashley Nelson, PhD
617-643-8574
anelson11@partners.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact

Ashley Nelson, PhD
617-643-8574
anelson11@mgh.harvard.edu

Detailed Description

This research is being done to determine whether a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for fatigue intervention is feasible and effective at managing fatigue and improving quality of life in patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplant. An open pilot of 6 participants will precede the randomized controlled trial. Study procedures for the open pilot include screening for eligibility, intervention Zoom sessions, questionnaires, and exit interviews with study staff. Patients participating in the subsequent randomized controlled trial will be randomized into one of two study groups: CBT for fatigue intervention versus usual care.Study procedures include screening for eligibility, intervention Zoom sessions (intervention arm) or receipt of informational materials about fatigue (usual care arm), and completion of study questionnaires (after consent but before randomization and at approximately 3 and 5 months post-randomization). This research study is expected to last about 3 years. It is expected about 66 people will take part in this research study. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health is providing funding for this project.