Light Therapy to Increase Energy in Adolescents and Young Adults Newly Diagnosed With Solid Tumors: A Pilot Study

This feasibility and acceptability study will assess the rate of consent to, adherence to,
and side effects from a therapy study in a randomized trial comparing bright white light
(BWL) to dim red light (DRL). Four questionnaires will be distributed to patients and/or
their parents, depending upon the questionnaire, to study the fatigue, quality of life, mood
symptoms, and side effects of the BWL/DRL intervention in adolescents and young adults being
treated for solid tumors, including lymphoma.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

- To estimate the feasibility and acceptability of a BWL intervention compared to a DRL
standard comparison group in adolescent/young adult solid tumor and lymphoma patients.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

- To estimate the effect size of this intervention on measures of fatigue in order to
design a larger clinical trial of efficacy of a randomized control trial of BWL versus
DRL intervention for fatigue in pediatric oncology patients.

OTHER PRESPECIFIED OBJECTIVES:

- Estimate the effect of participant location (inpatient, hospital-based housing, or home)
on adherence.

- Estimate rates of depressive symptoms.

- Describe quality of life.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

- Age 12 years or older

- Has initiated treatment as part of an active St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
(SJCRH) treatment plan

- ≤ 30 days post diagnosis of a solid tumor or lymphoma

- Patient speaks, reads and writes in English or Spanish

- Potential participant/guardian is willing to sign informed consent

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

- Blind or having a history of eye disease including, but not limited to, macular
degeneration, or other diagnosed retinal problems

- Undergone laser corrective eye surgery in the past 30 days

- Significant physiological or psychological impairment that interferes with
participation (e.g., migraines, bipolar disorder, psychosis, seasonal affective
disorder)

- Recently started on anti-depressant medications (past one month for those on Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors [SSRI] and past two months for those started on
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [MAOI])