Chandelier
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Untersuchung der Fatigue mithilfe Digitaler Technologien - Human Research Switzerland
www.humanforschung-schweiz.ch
Google Translate link.
Machine translation:
HumRes66610 | SNCTP000006337 | BASEC2024-01878
Untersuchung der Fatigue mithilfe Digitaler Technologien
Disease category
Arterial and venous diseases, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; brain diseases (non-cancer); infections and infestations; diseases of the nervous system; respiratory diseases (non-cancer) (BASEC)
Recruitment status
Recruitment ongoing
(BASEC/ICTRP)
Trial sites
Basel, Zurich
(BASEC)
Contact
Dr. sc. Liliana Barrios
fido@dsi.uzh.ch
(BASEC)
Data source(s)
BASEC: Imported on 6 May 2026
ICTRP: N/A
Last update
6 May 2026, 14:30
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Summary description of the study
The aim of this exploratory study is to investigate the feasibility of long-term monitoring of fatigue in everyday life. Digital technologies, such as smartphones and wearable sensors, will be used to continuously collect data on physiological parameters, physical activity, sleep and lifestyle. Feasibility will be assessed primarily on the basis of compliance rates for device use and the completion of app-based tasks. In addition, the study will investigate the extent to which objective measures of fatigue can be derived from these data. The results will provide insight into whether this approach has the potential to support future monitoring and a better understanding of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Long COVID.
Participants will also use an app, the FIDO app, to provide brief information about their daily lives and complete tests assessing physical and cognitive fatigue. This will help us better understand how fatigue changes throughout the day and which factors influence it, such as sleep, physical activity and lifestyle habits.
Another part of the study examines the role of gut bacteria, known as the microbiome. Stool samples will be analysed to determine whether certain bacteria are associated with fatigue.
The results of this study are intended to improve our understanding of fatigue and, in the future, enable more targeted monitoring and treatment.
Please note that we will store your contact details after you contact us. If you are not interested in participating, your contact details will be deleted.
(BASEC)
Intervention under investigation
Your participation will be required for two months and will include two clinic visits and a data-collection period:
Preparation at home: You will receive the study informed-consent form (this document) and the operating instructions.
First study visit: You will sign the informed-consent form together with the study team. You will undergo a medical examination, complete questionnaires and receive an introduction to the digital technologies used in the study. The study visit will take approximately two hours.
Data-collection phase: You will wear two wearable devices continuously (24/7) for two months, charge them regularly and download the data. In addition, you will use the FIDO app to complete brief tasks—approximately seven minutes every two days—and complete short questionnaires at regular intervals—approximately five minutes per day. The app is intuitive and self-explanatory and will send you notifications to remind you of the tasks. In addition, after four and eight weeks, you should collect a stool sample at home for analysis of your gut bacteria and complete two questionnaires.
Final study visit: After the two-month period, you will return to the clinic for a second medical examination and provide feedback on the digital technology. You will also return the devices. The study visit will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
(BASEC)
Disease under investigation
Fatigue in healthy individuals and in patients with MS and Long COVID
(BASEC)
Inclusion/exclusion criteria
Criteria for participation in the trial
MS or Long COVID patient group:
- Confirmed diagnosis of MS, established by a neurologist, or Long COVID, established by a physician
- Adults between 18 and 65 years of age
- Participants should own a smartphone. The smartphone must have at least iOS version 16, available from iPhone 8 onwards, or Android version 10.
- Fluent German or English language skills
Control group:
- Adults between 18 and 65 years of age
- Ownership of a smartphone. The smartphone must have at least iOS version 16, available from iPhone 8 onwards, or Android version 10.
- Fluent German or English language skills
Exclusion criteria
- Concomitant medication that affects fatigue or the autonomic nervous system, such as antidepressants prescribed or adjusted within one month before the first visit
- Inability to provide informed consent
- Unwillingness or inability to comply with the study protocol
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- For the control group: Diagnosis of chronic diseases that may affect fatigue or the autonomic nervous system
- For patients with MS: Additional comorbidities that may affect fatigue or the autonomic nervous system, such as autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular diseases
- For patients with Long COVID-19: Additional comorbidities diagnosed before the first acute COVID-19 infection that may affect fatigue or the autonomic nervous system, such as autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular diseases
Trial sites
Basel, Zurich
(BASEC)
Other trial sites
Not available
Sponsor
University of Zurich
(BASEC)
Contact
Contact person in Switzerland
Dr. sc. Liliana Barrios
+41 77 414 11 74
fido@dsi.uzh.ch
University of Zurich
(BASEC)
Scientific information
Not available
Name of the authorising ethics committee
For multicentre studies, only the lead committee:
Ethics Committee Zurich
(BASEC)
Date of authorisation
21 March 2025
(BASEC)
Additional information on the trial
Results of the trial
Results summary
Not available
Link to the results in the primary register
Not available