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Understanding Fatigue in Cancer and Other Conditions

This observational study aims to better understand different types of fatigue, which is a common and often misunderstood symptom in conditions like cancer and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers believe that fatigue can be experienced differently by different people and might have various causes. By studying people with and without fatigue, they hope to identify distinct types of fatigue and how they relate to biological factors. The main goal is to characterize and define these different fatigue types. You may be eligible if you are an adult aged 18 or older and have experienced fatigue for more than a month. The study will measure your fatigue level at two different stages.

Study design
This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 37 participants. It is designed to deeply characterize individuals with and without clinically meaningful fatigue.
What's involved
You will undergo a physical exam, medical history review, vision test, and blood and urine tests. You will also track the foods you eat. This study involves up to 10 visits, each lasting no more than 4 hours.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your fatigue level will be measured at Stage 1 and Stage 2, but the duration of follow-up is not specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03952624

Patient-Centered Assessment of Symptoms and Outcomes

Active, Not Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18+Observational
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
~37 participants
Updated 2026-08-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Fatigue Level
Measured over Stage 1 and Stage 2

Conditions

Fatigue
Cancer
CFS
ME/CFS
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Lupus
Systemic Lupus Erthematosus
Sjogrens

Explore related trials

Chronic Fatigue SyndromeFatigueMalignant NeoplasmSjogren SyndromeSystemic Lupus Erythematosus

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Maryland1

Study leadership

  • Miroslav Backonja, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult participants aged \>= 18 years at the time of enrollment.
Able to provide written informed consent.
Willing and able to complete study procedures.
In addition to the above, must experience fatigue for more than a month.
Right handed
Not taking any prescribed medications for chronic medical conditions
Not diagnosed with any chronic medical condition

Exclusion

Not fluent in English.
Have medical health issues that create additional and substantial adverse risks related to study procedures. Medical examples are the acute complications of medical disease, such as unstable hypertension, diabetic ketoacidosis, symptomatic hyperthyroidism, and unstable angina.
Have a psychiatric condition that prevents participant from being able to reliably report the fatigue experience (e.g., a psychotic disorder with severely disorganized thinking);
Current substance use disorder within the last five years or positive urine toxicology results at enrollment and before Stage 2. Prior marijuana use within the past five years will not be an exclusion.
Categorized as a high-risk drinker (\>=5 drinks/day and \>=15 drinks/week for men, \>=4 drinks/day and \>=8 drinks/week for women). ( Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture).
NIH employees.
Pregnant or lactating women.
Ongoing medical condition that is deemed by the Principal Investigator to interfere with the conduct or assessments of the study or safety of the participant.
fMRI Technical Development Sub-Study
Implanted cardiac pacemakers, metal aneurysm clips;
Broken bones repaired with metal pins, screws, rods, plates;
Prosthetic eye implants;
Transdermal medications or infusion pumps;
Bullet fragments or other metal pieces in body from old wounds;
Significant work exposure to metal particles;
Clinically relevant claustrophobia;
Unable to lie comfortably on back for up to 4 hours;
Left-handed. (Participants that are ambidextrous, will complete the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory).
EEfRT and Stroop Test
Severe essential hand tremor or severe hand pain (e.g., severe arthritis or severe carpel tunnel) that makes it difficult to perform rapid keyboard presses will be an exclusion from the EEfRT and Stroop Test.
Color-blindness, verified by scoring \>14 on the Ishihara card test, will exclude a participant from taking the Stroop test. The Ishihara card test will be administered only if the participant states he or she is color-blind.
Tilt Table Test
Beta blocker medications.
CPET
Any neuromuscular conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson s disease) with significant mobility impairment that prohibits treadmill or bike performance, or any medical condition (e.g., congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], severe osteoarthritis and poorly controlled asthma) that would make it risky for the participant to exercise (e.g., exercise-induced angina and asthma), will exclude a participant from the CPET.

What this trial measures

  • Fatigue LevelStage 1 and Stage 2

    The primary outcome will be the fatigue level using the Fatigue Numeric Rating Scale (FNS) score.