iFASTransdiagnostic Fatigue Treatment for Primary Care Patients

This clinical trial focuses on understanding and treating fatigue, a condition characterized by extreme and persistent tiredness or exhaustion. Fatigue is a common complaint among 20-30% of patients in primary care, with up to 10% presenting it as their main issue. Despite its high prevalence, the causes of fatigue remain largely unknown. Recent research suggests that factors not attributable to a specific medical condition, such as demographic and psychosocial variables, may better explain fatigue severity. This study aims to evaluate a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (tCBT) adapted for primary care patients suffering from persistent fatigue, independent of their primary diagnosis. Participants in this study will be recruited from primary healthcare clinics in Region Stockholm and randomly assigned to either the tCBT group or the care as usual (CAU) group. The tCBT treatment is delivered in a blended format, combining face-to-face therapy with internet-delivered texts and exercises, over a period of 4 - 6 months. The study will measure fatigue severity as the primary outcome, using the Checklist Individual Strengths - Fatigue severity subscale (CIS-F). Secondary outcomes include self-rated symptoms, cognitive functioning, and net days on sick leave. Data collection includes clinician-rated data, self-rated symptom measures, and register-based data. Cognitive functioning will be assessed using a digital cognitive test-battery at baseline and at the 12-month follow up. Additionally, changes in physiological variables will be explored in a subset of participants from baseline to the 12-month follow-up using continuous data collected from biometric rings.