Efficacy of an artificial intelligence-based program for managing fatigue in Chinese young breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Fatigue is a common problem among breast cancer survivors, particularly among young breast cancer survivors (YBCSs) who often juggle work and family responsibilities. This demographic frequently experiences high levels of fatigue, which adversely impacts their quality of life. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI) -based program in managing cancer-related fatigue among Chinese YBCSs.

Methods

A randomized clinical trial was conducted from Jan2021 to Dec 2022, involving 115 YBCSs. The intervention group received multimodal support combing artificial intelligence (AI) interaction and humanities skills, while the control group received online information support only for 12 weeks. The outcomes were measured using the BFI (Fatigue, primary), and the FACT-B (quality of life, secondary). An intention-to treat approach was used to analyze differences in fatigue and quality of life.

Findings

Both groups showed improvements in fatigue score(p<0.05) from baseline(T0) to 4 weeks(T1) and 12 weeks(T2). Notably, at the 12-week mark, the intervention group demonstrated a more substantial reduction in fatigue compared to the control group. Additionally, the intervention group experienced a greater increase in quality of life from T1 to T2 (β=15.384, 95% CI:13.028–17.740, P<.001).

Interpretation

This study demonstrates that an AI-based program could help effectively manage fatigue, subsequently enhancing the quality of life among YBCSs. The integration of AI and humanities skills offers a promising approach to improving health outcomes in this vulnerable population.