A new app 📱aims to alleviate fatigue associated with cancer treatment.

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is often more severe and prolonged than normal fatigue, lasting for weeks or even years after treatment ends.

Traditional approaches to combating fatigue rely on medications, exercise, and meditation, but they may not be suitable for all patients.

"These measures only work for a segment of patients, so we sought to develop a more accessible and universally available solution," says Dr. Munish Tiwari, professor of internal medicine and member of the Rogel Cancer Center.

The research team explained that our bodies rely on an internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and affects processes such as digestion and body temperature. Studies have shown that any disruption to this system exacerbates fatigue and negatively impacts the quality of life of cancer patients. Fortunately, external factors such as light exposure can help reset the biological rhythm.

However, as Caleb Meyer, the study's first author, explains, previous light-based treatments didn't account for individual differences among patients, as they were asked to be exposed to light at specific times without taking into account their specific biological patterns.

To overcome this problem, the team developed the Arcasync app, which analyzes the user's sleep and wake patterns based on their heart rate and physical activity levels. It then provides personalized recommendations, such as determining the best time to be exposed to bright light to boost daily energy.

The app was tested on 138 participants with breast, prostate, and blood cancers.

Over 12 weeks, researchers monitored the participants' levels of fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and overall health. The results showed significant improvements in the group using the app, reflecting its effectiveness in improving quality of life.

Dr. Sung Won Choi, professor of pediatric hematology and oncology and a member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, said, "We have demonstrated that a device seamlessly integrated into patients' lives can be used to effectively guide their circadian rhythms. This app may have a broader impact than traditional medications or exercise programs, regardless of cancer type."

The team plans to expand the study to include a larger number of participants, focusing on their adherence to light exposure recommendations.

Olivia Walsh, CEO of Arcascope, who conducted the study during her graduate studies in applied mathematics at the University of Michigan, notes that the team aims to use the circadian clock to achieve broader therapeutic goals. "The first step is to address fatigue, but we also aim to improve the efficacy of medications and reduce their toxicity through more precise dosing," she says.

"We aim for future versions of the app to help patients determine the optimal timing of their medications or schedule their injections, maximizing the effectiveness of treatments and minimizing their side effects."

The study was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

Source: Medical Express - Source News https://ar.rt.com/zkhf