Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia After Breast Cancer Treatment



Status:Completed
Conditions:Breast Cancer, Cancer, Insomnia Sleep Studies
Therapuetic Areas:Oncology, Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:21 - 65
Updated:7/11/2015
Start Date:July 2008
End Date:May 2013
Contact:Ellyn E Matthews, PhD,RN,AOCN
Email:ellyn.matthews@ucdenver.edu
Phone:303-724-8552

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

The primary goal of the proposed study is to examine a cognitive behavioral intervention for
insomnia (CBTI) in women after breast cancer treatment. Chronic Insomnia is a highly
prevalent and distressing symptom in cancer patients. CBTI is considered the treatment of
choice for chronic primary insomnia. Few studies have been conducted in cancer survivors to
evaluate the effect of CBTI on sleep and clinically relevant outcomes.

The overall goals of this study are to: 1) test standard 4-component CBTI in patients with
breast cancer post-treatment, 2) gather data on the feasibility of the methods, and 3)
determine effects of the intervention on quality of life (QOL) and daily functioning. Sixty
women after completion of primary breast cancer treatment, 21-65 years of age, who meet the
criteria for chronic insomnia will be recruited from two Western U.S. Cancer Centers.
Participants will be randomized to one of two treatment conditions (CBTI or behavioral
placebo treatment). Both groups will receive six in-office and phone sessions. The control
group will receive the same amount of individualized attention. Sleep efficiency and
component measures (e.g., sleep onset latency, minutes awake after sleep onset) and quality
of life and component measures of daily functioning will be assess pre and
post-intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow up visits. It is hypothesized that women
receiving CBTI treatment will demonstrate greater increase in sleep efficiency (time in bed
compared with time asleep) and will self-report greater improvements in QOL and daily
functioning compared to those receiving a behavioral placebo treatment at the conclusion of
the intervention and at 3- to 6-month follow-ups. Established instruments include the
Insomnia Severity Index, Morin Sleep Diary, Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about
Sleep-16, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life
Questionnaire C30, Attentional Function Index, Revised Piper Fatigue Scale, and Hospital
Anxiety and Depression Scale. Subjective data will be corroborated with actigraphy. Results
may inform development of clinical guidelines for insomnia management after cancer
treatment. The proposed study associated with this K23 award relates to the Health People
2010 goal of improving quality of life of individuals of all ages, and the cancer focus area
goal of reducing illness and disability caused by cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 21 to 65 years of age inclusive

- 1-36 months after radiation or chemotherapy for non-metastatic breast cancer and
on a stable dose of anti-estrogen agent and medications for hot flashes

- Meets diagnostic criteria for chronic, secondary insomnia

- Speak and write English

Exclusion Criteria:

- Presence of a serious unstable physical illness other than cancer

- Presence of dementia, major depression, psychosis or other serious psychiatric
disorder

- Presence of a sleep disorder other than insomnia

- Unstable doses of psychotropic medications (excluding hypnotics), opioids,
anit-endocrine medications, or use of high dose steroids

- Current evening/night shift employment
We found this trial at
1
site
?
mi
from
Aurora, CO
Click here to add this to my saved trials