Major complaints of cancer patients include fatigue and sleep quality, and subjective impressions are often inaccurate and unreliable. Two inter- related topics of concern are fatigue and sleep length estimation. Actigraphic studies have yielded valuable sleep and daytime activity data on colorectal and breast cancer patients. This project will provide a wrist- worn device, which records sleep/wake/activity data. Building on existing technology, a self-report feature will be developed to enter a patient's subjective impression of his or her fatigue directly into the wrist-worn unit. This feature will act as a platform for algorithm development leading to on- line display of a fatigue-related index (Phase II). Derivation of such index requires data collection in ambulatory patients via self-reporting questionnaires obtained under clinical direction. These observational self- reports, subsequent instrument directed self-reporting, and concurrent activity records will be analyzed to assess the feasibility of creating an algorithm translating activity into a fatigue index in Phase II. Questionnaire and direct entry self-reports (the latter depicted in graphical and numerical display on the device) will be compared to judge the accuracy of direct entry; and this comparison, together with a post-study survey of the subjects, will be used to evaluate the ergonomics of the direct method of fatigue self-reporting.

Proposed Commercial Applications

Many cancer centers will open fatigue clinics to aid patients with the widespread complaint of fatigue which is mostly undertreated. The proposed FASAM will provide a tool to objectively quantify cancer-related fatigue for use by researchers studying chronobiology, chronotherapeutics and other methodologies to manage cancer patients. It will be a cost- effective, valuable means to replace subjective anecdotal impression.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43CA084866-01
Application #
6072476
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-9 (23))
Program Officer
O'Mara, Ann M
Project Start
2000-08-01
Project End
2002-07-31
Budget Start
2000-08-01
Budget End
2002-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$100,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
072711112
City
Ardsley
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10502
Dimsdale, Joel E; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Ayalon, Liat et al. (2007) Taking fatigue seriously, II: variability in fatigue levels in cancer patients. Psychosomatics 48:247-52
Dimsdale, J E; Ancoli-Israel, S; Elsmore, T F et al. (2003) Taking fatigue seriously: I. Variations in fatigue sampled repeatedly in healthy controls. J Med Eng Technol 27:218-22