Bayesian adaptive randomized trial of blended cognitive behavioral therapy for severe fatigue in stable diffuse glioma.

BACKGROUND

While severe fatigue is common in patients with diffuse glioma, no evidence-based treatment is currently available. The objective of this RCT was to evaluate the efficacy of blended cognitive behavioral therapy (bCBT) for severe fatigue.

METHODS

Severely fatigued patients (Checklist Individual Strength, fatigue-severity subscale [CIS-fatigue] ≥ 35) with diffuse glioma and stable disease were randomized to 12 weeks of bCBT or a waiting list condition (WLC). The primary endpoint was fatigue severity 2 weeks after intervention. This Bayesian adaptive trial included prespecified interim analyses for efficacy at n = 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80. Secondary outcomes-health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, future uncertainty, and depression-were assessed at 2 and 12 weeks after intervention.

RESULTS

The trial was stopped for efficacy at the first interim analysis. Of 47 patients randomized, 40 patients reached the primary endpoint (mean age 53 years, 47% female). The posterior probability that CIS-fatigue scores were lower with bCBT than with WLC was 99.94%, with a large standardized effect size (Cohen's d) of 1.12 [95% CI: 0.43-1.81]. At 2 weeks after intervention, 68% of patients were no longer severely fatigued after bCBT, compared to 24% in WLC. At 12 weeks follow-up, fatigue was still significantly lower in the bCBT group compared to WLC (d = 1.22). bCBT also demonstrated beneficial effects (d = 0.42-1.19) on anxiety, HRQoL, and future uncertainty.

CONCLUSIONS

bCBT significantly reduces fatigue and improves anxiety and HRQoL in patients with diffuse glioma. These findings enable evidence-based supportive care strategies for reducing fatigue and enhancing HRQoL in this population.