Course for Brain Fatigue After Graves' Disease Controlled Study (MF-Course)

A Mental Fatigue Course to Graves' Disease Patients With Mental Fatigue -a Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND. Mental fatigue (MF) is common in the most common form of hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease (GD). Clinically, MF is the primary mental symptom in patients with GD and is characterized by difficulties maintaining attention, exhaustion during cognitively demanding tasks, memory difficulties, irritability, and emotional lability. It may be the main contributing factor to the continued low quality of life in many patients with GD. MF can be measured with an MF score (MFS). The pathophysiology is unknown. There is no medical treatment, which requires patients to adapt to the situation.

AIM. In this project, the investigators want to test the hypothesis that mental fatigue improves - with secondary benefits on mental capacity, quality of life (QoL), and function - in patients with persistent mental fatigue in GD, through an MF course as an addition to standard care, compared to patients who receive only standard care. The investigators also test the hypothesis that the MF course is a cost-effective intervention.

METHOD. In a randomized controlled study, the investigators evaluate the effect of the MF course compared to standard care only in 96 patients with persistent MF in GD. Markers of mental health, QoL, and activity capacity are evaluated at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after intervention/inclusion. The primary outcome measure is MFS at 3 months.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE. Patients report feeling neglected by healthcare for decades, and healthcare professionals are frustrated by the lack of guidance. Patient organizations highlight the need for research; they want mental symptoms to be characterized as a consequence of thyroid disease, they demand biomarkers, specific treatments, and personalized care. Our research group is working to address the cause of MF in GD and also to alleviate the symptoms. The MF course may prove to be an important tool that can be quickly implemented in clinical practice, especially in primary care. Our involvement in regional/national working groups will facilitate implementation in other units.

In this project, the investigators want to test the hypothesis that mental fatigue improves - with secondary benefits on mental capacity, quality of life (QoL), and function - in patients with persistent mental fatigue at GD, through an MF course as an addition to regular healthcare, compared to patients receiving only regular healthcare.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Graves Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: MF course; Other: Usual health care

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 96
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Agneta Lindo; Phone Number: +4676-6185481; Email: agneta.lindo@vgregion.se

Study Locations

• Sweden
  • Göteborg, Sweden, 413 45
    • Recruiting
    • Agneta Lindo
    • Contact: Agneta Lindo; Phone Number: +4676-6185481; Email: agneta.lindo@vgregion.se
    • Principal Investigator: Helena Filipsson Nyström

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-72 years old
• 15-72 months since first Graves' diagnosis
• high free thyroxin and thyroid antibodies (TRAb) at diagnosis
• euthyroid the last 6 months normal thyroid hormone levels at inclusion
• symptoms on MF in connection to Graves diagnosis
• MF-scale ≥10.5 points

Exclusion criteria:

• other diseases or situations that may be associated with mental fatigue (such as other active inflammatory disease, neurological disease)
• pregnancy
• lactation
• assessment that the patient cannot follow the study protocol.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention; Mental Fatigue course + Usual care in clinical care	Other: MF course; A course consisting of six 2-hour-meetings every two-weeks with 10-15 participants (12 weeks in total). The meetings have different themes related to MF, such as understanding, practices for a deeper understanding of emotions, balance in everyday life with rest and activity, meditation practice to give time for brain rest, and mindfulness).; Other: Usual health care; The usual health care consists of one or few follow-up visits with blood tests at Sahlgrenska university hospital in Gothenburg or follow-up at the primary care after the end of treatment for Graves' treatment.
Active Comparator: Control Group; Usual care in clinical care	Other: Usual health care; The usual health care consists of one or few follow-up visits with blood tests at Sahlgrenska university hospital in Gothenburg or follow-up at the primary care after the end of treatment for Graves' treatment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mental fatigue score	Scores at the Mental Fatigue Scale are compared between the intervention and the control group. Scores is between 0-42 and higher scores mean more brain fatigue.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Days of sick-leave and cost related to health care and medication	Evaluated sick leave days between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Days of sick-leave and cost related to health care and medication	Evaluated sick leave days between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Days of sick-leave and cost related to health care and medication	Evaluated sick leave days between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Levels of thyroid autoantibodies	Levels of thyroid autoantibodies, analysed with the standard method of the laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Levels of thyroid autoantibodies	Levels of thyroid autoantibodies, analysed with the standard method of the laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Levels of thyroid autoantibodies	Levels of thyroid autoantibodies, analysed with the standard method of the laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Levels of thyroid hormones	Levels of thyroid hormones, analysed with the standard method of the laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Levels of thyroid hormones	Levels of thyroid hormones, analysed with the standard method of the laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Levels of thyroid hormones	Levels of thyroid hormones, analysed with the standard method of the laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Comprehensive psychopathological rating questionnaire (CPRS)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. Higher scores at the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale mean more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Scores for anxiety is between 0-27 and for depression is between 0-27.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Comprehensive psychopathological rating questionnaire (CPRS)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. Higher scores at the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale mean more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Scores for anxiety is between 0-27 and for depression is between 0-27.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Comprehensive psychopathological rating questionnaire (CPRS)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. Higher scores at the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale mean more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Scores for anxiety is between 0-27 and for depression is between 0-27.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief cope)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Brief cope. The Brief COPE is a shorter version of the COPE Inventory composed of 28-items rated on a 4-point ordinal scale that measure 14 subscales of coping style (2-items each). The overall mean is calculated with more than three being worse outcome. Coping strategies are compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief cope)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Brief cope. The Brief COPE is a shorter version of the COPE Inventory composed of 28-items rated on a 4-point ordinal scale that measure 14 subscales of coping style (2-items each).The overall mean is calculated with more than three being worse outcome. Coping strategies are compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief cope)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Brief cope. The Brief COPE is a shorter version of the COPE Inventory composed of 28-items rated on a 4-point ordinal scale that measure 14 subscales of coping style (2-items each).The overall mean is calculated with more than three being worse outcome. Coping strategies are compared between the intervention and the control group.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire General Self-Efficacy. Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire General Self-Efficacy. Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire General Self-Efficacy. Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The total score ranges between 0 and 56, with a higher score indicate more symptoms of stress.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The total score ranges between 0 and 56, with a higher score indicate more symptoms of stress.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The total score ranges between 0 and 56, with a higher score indicate more symptoms of stress.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form (ThyPro 39)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form (ThyPro 39). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. ThyPRO scales is scored as a summary score and linearly transformed to range 0- 100. Higher scores at the Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form means worse quality of life.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form (ThyPro 39)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form (ThyPro 39). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. hyPRO scales is scored as a summary score and linearly transformed to range 0- 100. Higher scores at the Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form means worse quality of life.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form (ThyPro 39)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form (ThyPro 39). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. hyPRO scales is scored as a summary score and linearly transformed to range 0- 100. Higher scores at the Thyroid-specific Patient-Reported Outcome short-form means worse quality of life.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO QoL).	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire the Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO QoL). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The range of each score is from 0 to 100, higher scores indicating better health.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO QoL).	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire the Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO QoL). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The range of each score is from 0 to 100, higher scores indicating better health.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO QoL).	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire the Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO QoL). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. The range of each score is from 0 to 100, higher scores indicating better health.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
EuroQol- health questionnaire (EQ-5D)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire EuroQol- health (EQ-5D). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. Each question may have 1 of 3-level answers, and a visual analog scale (VAS) on which patients can mark their current health state. The EQ-5D-3L index is calculated by subtracting the values of the descriptive EQ-5D system from the numerical value 1. This corresponds to the best possible health status, while an index value of <0 represents the worst possible health status.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
EuroQol- health questionnaire (EQ-5D)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire EuroQol- health (EQ-5D). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. Each question may have 1 of 3-level answers, and a visual analog scale (VAS) on which patients can mark their current health state. The EQ-5D-3L index is calculated by subtracting the values of the descriptive EQ-5D system from the numerical value 1. This corresponds to the best possible health status, while an index value of <0 represents the worst possible health status.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
EuroQol- health questionnaire (EQ-5D)	Evaluated by the validated questionnaire EuroQol- health (EQ-5D). Scores are compared between the intervention and the control group. Each question may have 1 of 3-level answers, and a visual analog scale (VAS) on which patients can mark their current health state. The EQ-5D-3L index is calculated by subtracting the values of the descriptive EQ-5D system from the numerical value 1. This corresponds to the best possible health status, while an index value of <0 represents the worst possible health status.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Frenchay Activities Index (FAI)	Evaluated by the validated Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). Compare function and work ability between the intervention and the control group. Questionnaire consisting of 15 items on frequency of social everyday activities and the score is based on the frequency with which an activity has been performed during the previous 3 or 6 months. The total score ranges from 0 (inactive) to 45 (very active).	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Frenchay Activities Index (FAI)	Evaluated by the validated Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). Compare function and work ability between the intervention and the control group. Questionnaire consisting of 15 items on frequency of social everyday activities and the score is based on the frequency with which an activity has been performed during the previous 3 or 6 months. The total score ranges from 0 (inactive) to 45 (very active).	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Frenchay Activities Index (FAI)	Evaluated by the validated Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). Compare function and work ability between the intervention and the control group. Questionnaire consisting of 15 items on frequency of social everyday activities and the score is based on the frequency with which an activity has been performed during the previous 3 or 6 months. The total score ranges from 0 (inactive) to 45 (very active).	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI)	Evaluated by the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Compare Work Productivity and Activity between the intervention and the control group. Four main outcomes can be generated from the WPAI-GH and expressed in percentages by multiplying the following scores by 100: 1) percent work time missed due to health = Q2/(Q2 + Q4) for those who were currently employed; 2) percent impairment while working due to health = Q5/10 for those who were currently employed and actually worked in the past seven days; 3) percent overall work impairment due to health Q2/(Q2 + Q4) + ((1 - Q2/(Q2 + Q4)) × (Q5/10)) for those who were currently employed; 4) percent activity impairment due to health Q6/10 for all respondents.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Evaluated by the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI).	Evaluated by the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Compare Work Productivity and Activity between the intervention and the control group. Four main outcomes can be generated from the WPAI-GH and expressed in percentages by multiplying the following scores by 100: 1) percent work time missed due to health = Q2/(Q2 + Q4) for those who were currently employed; 2) percent impairment while working due to health = Q5/10 for those who were currently employed and actually worked in the past seven days; 3) percent overall work impairment due to health Q2/(Q2 + Q4) + ((1 - Q2/(Q2 + Q4)) × (Q5/10)) for those who were currently employed; 4) percent activity impairment due to health Q6/10 for all respondents.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI)	Evaluated by the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). Compare Work Productivity and Activity between the intervention and the control group. Four main outcomes can be generated from the WPAI-GH and expressed in percentages by multiplying the following scores by 100: 1) percent work time missed due to health = Q2/(Q2 + Q4) for those who were currently employed; 2) percent impairment while working due to health = Q5/10 for those who were currently employed and actually worked in the past seven days; 3) percent overall work impairment due to health Q2/(Q2 + Q4) + ((1 - Q2/(Q2 + Q4)) × (Q5/10)) for those who were currently employed; 4) percent activity impairment due to health Q6/10 for all respondents.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Clinical Activity Score (CAS)	Comparison of Clinical Activity Score (a composite measure of ophthalmological signs and symptoms) between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-10 and higher scores mean more eye symptoms.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Clinical Activity Score (CAS)	Comparison of Clinical Activity Score (a composite measure of ophthalmological signs and symptoms) between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-10 and higher scores mean more eye symptoms.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Clinical Activity Score (CAS)	Comparison of Clinical Activity Score (a composite measure of ophthalmological signs and symptoms) between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-10 and higher scores mean more eye symptoms.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Severity score	Comparison of Severity score (a composite measure of ophthalmological signs and symptoms) between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-29 and higher scores mean more eye symptoms.	Change from baseline examined at 3 months follow-up.
Severity score	Comparison of Severity score (a composite measure of ophthalmological signs and symptoms) between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-29 and higher scores mean more eye symptoms.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Severity score	Comparison of Severity score (a composite measure of ophthalmological signs and symptoms) between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-29 and higher scores mean more eye symptoms.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.
Mental fatigue score	Scores at the Mental Fatigue Scale are compared between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-42 and higher scores mean more brain fatigue.	Change from baseline examined at 6 months follow-up.
Mental fatigue score	Scores at the Mental Fatigue Scale are compared between the intervention and the control group. Scores can be between 0-42 and higher scores mean more brain fatigue.	Change from baseline examined at 12 months follow-up.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Vastra Gotaland Region
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Helena Filipsson Nyström, Sahlgrenska Universitet sjukhus

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 10, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 10, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 10, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 10, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): November 18, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 22, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2023
• Last Verified: November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Mental fatigue
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Immune System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Eye Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Thyroid Diseases; Exophthalmos; Orbital Diseases; Goiter; Hyperthyroidism; Fatigue; Graves Disease; Mental Fatigue
• Other Study ID Numbers: MF-Course

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No