Tired of Cancer B.V. and the University of Groningen have partnered together to conduct a large RCT study focused on cancer-related fatigue (CRF).

The effectiveness of Tired of Cancer’s Untire app will be studied in an international scientific study lead by Profs. Robbert Sanderman and Mariët Hagedoorn.

The Untire app seeks to provide users with the right tools to regain energy and improve quality of life, and was featured in a recent ecancermedicalscience editorial.

“CRF is a very important topic, however both patients and doctors tend not to talk about it. One of the reasons is that there was no concrete solution. Now there is,” said Tired of Cancer co-founder Door Vonk, MA “Our aim is to help cancer patients worldwide with this program.”

Over the next 18 months, the study will investigate whether the Untire App can help cancer patients and survivors reduce their cancer-related fatigue and improve their quality of life.

In total 6,000 participants will be recruited in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain and The Netherlands.

Participants will at random be placed into one of the two test groups: the first (test) group (N = 3,000) will receive immediate 6-months access to the Untire App, the second (control) group (N = 3,000) will obtain free access for 6-months after a period of 12 weeks of the study.

This will allow researchers to explore and compare fluctuations in patients’ fatigue in both groups.

In order to measure participant response, all 6,000 participants will be asked to complete ongoing questionnaires throughout the study about their levels of fatigue, quality of life, and other fatigue related aspects such as physical activity, sleep, mood and mindfulness. 

The research team of Sanderman & Hagedoorn states “We are thrilled to be part of this enterprise and hope that we will be able, with our research, to contribute even to further improvements” and, “We obviously need the research to prove its impact, but we do hope that it will be a showcase of the potentials of e-health support for patients with cancer.”

The Untire App features:

•  Education to better understand fatigue
•  Tips and reminders to improve lifestyle
•  Exercises for body and mind to reduce stress and increase energy levels
•  Online community for support and communication with CRF peers
•  Weekly reporting to keep track of energy levels and progress

A collaborative Facebook campaign will promote the study in order to encourage participation.

Those interested in taking part in the study can find out if they are eligible through the online research site.