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

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
AgeNot listed
SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital

About this trial

This project is a single center, prospective randomized controlled trial (N=198) primarily evaluating the efficacy of the Survivorship Sleep Program vs. Enhanced Usual Care on insomnia severity among cancer survivors. The investigators will also examine secondary outcomes associated with cancer-related insomnia including subjective and objective sleep measures (i.e., sleep diaries, actigraphy), emotional distress, fatigue, and use of sleep medications.

Notably, most CBT-I trials with cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment with curative intent (i.e., curvivors) but not those in treatment or living with metastatic cancer (i.e., metavivors). To enhance generalizability, this RCT will stratify enrollment by survivorship phase (1:1:1).

This project in strengthened by partnerships with community organizations (SurvivorJourneys and Ellie Fund) and use of both quantitative (i.e., surveys, actigraphy) and qualitative methods (i.e., interviews) to inform considerations for future implementation.

Collectively, the proposed project will yield multiple deliverables to innovate cancer survivorship care, namely an efficacious, virtually delivered intervention addressing chronic insomnia, one of the most deleterious concerns among the growing population of cancer survivors in the US. Findings will inform a future effectiveness trial and the expansion of the synchronous delivery of CBT-I to survivors across different phases of cancer survivorship.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

(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

(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

(C) history of metastatic sold or blood malignancy (ies) taking hormonal, maintenance, oral, or immunotherapies to prevent further disease progression.

Chronic insomnia (DSM-5 criteria)

Disqualifiers

Self-reported inability to speak and write in English

Undertreated non-insomnia sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea)

Undertreated epilepsy, undertreated serious mental illness, undertreated suicidality, and/or psychiatric hospitalization in the past year

Unwilling or unable to discontinue night shift work

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Insomnia
  • Enhanced Usual Care

Treatment groups

198 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead sponsor

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Collaborator