title: The LITE study: Rationale and protocol for a randomized controlled trial of light therapy for cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors.
abstract: Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom that can last for months or years in up to one-third of cancer survivors. Despite its prevalence, the nature and mechanisms of cancer-related fatigue are poorly understood and the available treatments may not provide sufficient relief. Fatigue has been identified as a significant contributor to decreased quality of life, making it an important target for intervention. One approach that may be a safe and inexpensive treatment is bright light therapy.
  
  
  
  This study is a 4-week blinded randomized controlled trial. Subjects will be men and women who meet criteria for cancer-related fatigue and have completed cancer treatment. Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive a Litebook treatment device that produces either bright white light (treatment) or dim red light (active control). The devices will be used daily for 30min upon waking for a period of four weeks. The primary outcome, fatigue, will be measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-SF. Secondary outcomes include mood disturbance, sleep quality, quality of life, diurnal cortisol, and inflammatory biomarkers. Fatigue assessments will be completed weekly and secondary outcomes will be assessed at pre- and post-intervention.
  
  
  
  The current research will examine the effect of light exposure on cancer-related fatigue and its potential psychological, behavioral, and biological mechanisms. If successful, this research would support the use of light therapy for the management of persistent fatigue in cancer survivors, expanding existing treatment options. It may also improve upon the current understanding of the mechanisms that underlie cancer-related fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Jillian A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada; Division of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
authors.forename: Sheila N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Linda E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Université Laval, Laval, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Josée
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savard
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: J Steven A
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ancoli-Israel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: t.s.campbell@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Tavis S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000073116:Cancer Survivors; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012890:Sleep
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cancer; Cancer-related fatigue; Light therapy; Mood disturbance; Randomized controlled trial; Sleep