Efficacy of Synchronous, Virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Across Phases of Cancer Survivorship

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Jan 31, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a program called the Survivorship Sleep Program, which offers virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for people who have trouble sleeping (insomnia) after surviving cancer. It aims to see how effective this program is compared to regular care for helping cancer survivors improve their sleep. The trial will include 198 participants and will look at various factors, such as their sleep quality, emotional well-being, and use of sleep medications. It’s important to note that this study includes cancer survivors at different stages of their treatment, ensuring that the findings can help a wide range of people affected by cancer.

To participate, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have a history of cancer (either completed treatment or currently undergoing treatment), and have chronic insomnia. However, those with certain other sleep disorders, serious mental health issues, or who cannot communicate in English will not be eligible. Participants can expect to engage in virtual therapy sessions that focus on improving their sleep, while also contributing to research that may enhance care for cancer survivors in the future. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it will help develop better support for those dealing with sleep issues after cancer treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• 1. Cancer survivor, defined as:
• • 1. (A) history of nonmetastatic, localized or regional, solid or blood malignancy(ies) and completion of primary cancer treatment (i.e., radiation, surgery, and/or chemotherapy). Use of hormonal, maintenance, oral, and immunotherapies is permitted; or
• • 2. (B) history of nonmetastatic, localized or regional, solid or blood malignancy(ies) and current primary cancer treatment (i.e., radiation, surgery, and/or chemotherapy); Use of hormonal, maintenance, oral, and immunotherapies is permitted; or
• • 3. (C) history of metastatic sold or blood malignancy (ies) taking hormonal, maintenance, oral, or immunotherapies to prevent further disease progression.
• • 2. Chronic insomnia (DSM-5 criteria)
• • 3. Age 18 years or older
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Self-reported inability to speak and write in English
• • 2. Undertreated non-insomnia sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea)
• • 3. Undertreated epilepsy, undertreated serious mental illness, undertreated suicidality, and/or psychiatric hospitalization in the past year
• • 4. Unwilling or unable to discontinue night shift work