Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Cancer-Related Fatigue

Overseen By Mark Seewald

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Disqualifiers: Untreated OSA, Narcolepsy, Metastatic disease, Alcohol/drug dependence, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4-12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether varying amounts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can reduce cancer-related fatigue. Many cancer patients face both fatigue and insomnia, which can diminish their quality of life. The study divides participants into groups, each receiving a different number of CBT-I sessions to determine the most effective approach. Suitable candidates have undergone radiation treatment for bladder cancer and experience both insomnia and cancer-related fatigue. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore personalized treatment options for enhancing quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that CBT-I can greatly improve sleep problems, especially for cancer survivors. This therapy not only helps with insomnia but also reduces fatigue, which is common in cancer patients.

Patients have experienced significant benefits from CBT-I without major side effects. Most people manage the therapy well, with few reports of negative effects. Overall, evidence suggests that CBT-I is a safe choice for treating insomnia and fatigue in cancer patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) as a treatment for cancer-related fatigue because it targets sleep issues directly, which can significantly impact fatigue levels. Unlike standard treatments that often involve medications to manage symptoms, CBT-I is a non-pharmacological approach that empowers patients with practical strategies to improve sleep quality. This therapy offers flexibility, with various session lengths (four, eight, ten, or twelve sessions), allowing for personalized treatment plans to meet individual needs. By addressing insomnia, CBT-I aims to enhance overall well-being and reduce fatigue, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for cancer-related fatigue?

Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can reduce cancer-related tiredness. One study found that CBT-I greatly improved fatigue in cancer patients by enhancing sleep quality. Another study demonstrated that CBT-I significantly reduced the severity of insomnia. CBT-I also effectively treats cancer-related fatigue while managing other common health issues. For cancer survivors, online CBT-I with support provided significant relief from insomnia. Overall, CBT-I appears to be a promising method for improving both sleep and tiredness in cancer patients. Participants in this trial will receive varying numbers of CBT-I sessions to evaluate its effectiveness. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for breast cancer patients aged 25-85 who are experiencing both insomnia and cancer-related fatigue, without significant medical conditions like sleep apnea or psychiatric disorders. Participants must not have metastatic disease, untreated sleep apnea, a history of narcolepsy, substance dependence, or work night shifts.

Inclusion Criteria

I have significant issues with sleep and fatigue.

My breast cancer is limited to the breast.

I am currently undergoing or have completed radiation therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

History of narcolepsy

I have untreated sleep apnea or high scores on the STOP-BANG test.

I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive CBT-I sessions conducted weekly via Telehealth, with session numbers varying between four, eight, ten, or twelve based on randomization

4-12 weeks

Weekly sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including completion of questionnaires on sleep and fatigue

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Trial Overview The study tests whether different doses of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can improve sleep duration and reduce fatigue in breast cancer patients. It aims to understand if adjusting the amount of CBT-I can lead to better quality of life and survivorship outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Twelve Sessions of CBT-I Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Ten Sessions of CBT-I Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group III: Four Sessions of CBT-I Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group IV: Eight Sessions of CBT-I Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is already approved in United States, European Union, United Kingdom for the following indications:

Approved in United States as CBT-I for:

• Insomnia
• Depression

Approved in European Union as CBT-I for:

• Insomnia
• Depression

Approved in United States as Somryst for:

• Chronic Insomnia

Approved in United Kingdom as Sleepio for:

• Insomnia

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

425

Recruited

464,000+

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

360

Recruited

108,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 173 cancer outpatients, 57% reported significant insomnia symptoms, and 80% of those willing to participate found the video-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (VCBT-I) acceptable, indicating a strong demand for this intervention.

Participants experienced increased knowledge about sleep and improved sleep quality after using VCBT-I, although technical and contextual barriers were noted, suggesting that remote professional support could enhance the effectiveness and personalization of the therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a video-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in French adult cancer outpatients: results from the Sleep-4-All-1 study. Boinon, D., Charles, C., Fasse, L., et al.[2021]

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) compared to sleep hygiene education (SHE) in 308 women with cancer experiencing insomnia, with assessments at 12 and 24 weeks.

The primary outcome will measure changes in sleep quality using the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) score, helping to determine if dCBT-I provides better management of insomnia than SHE in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Sleepio after cancer (SAC) study. Digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) in women cancer patients - Trial protocol of a randomised controlled trial. Treacy, T., O'Meara, Y., Galligan, MC., et al.[2023]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to significantly improve sleep quality and psychological outcomes in cancer patients and survivors, based on a review of 12 studies.

CBT-I not only enhances sleep but may also positively affect mood, fatigue, and overall quality of life, and it can be delivered through various methods to reach more patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleeping well with cancer: a systematic review of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in cancer patients. Garland, SN., Johnson, JA., Savard, J., et al.[2022]

A pilot study involving 38 cancer survivors showed that a brief, group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-Insomnia) program significantly improved sleep efficiency, quality, and insomnia symptoms after just three sessions over one month.

Despite experiencing insomnia symptoms for an average of 2.4 years, many survivors had not discussed their sleep issues with healthcare providers, highlighting the need for increased awareness and access to insomnia treatments in oncology settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot trial of brief group cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia in an adult cancer survivorship program. Zhou, ES., Partridge, AH., Recklitis, CJ.[2022]

Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (iCBT-I) significantly improved sleep outcomes in 255 breast cancer survivors with clinically significant sleep disturbances, showing a strong effect on insomnia severity (Cohen's d = 1.17).

The benefits of iCBT-I were not only immediate but also sustained at follow-up, indicating its potential as a low-cost and effective treatment option that could be integrated into cancer rehabilitation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Zachariae, R., Amidi, A., Damholdt, MF., et al.[2023]

A pilot study involving 30 Spanish-speaking breast cancer survivors showed that a 6-week eHealth Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) intervention was highly acceptable and feasible, with excellent recruitment (95%) and retention (97%).

Post-treatment results indicated that CBT-I significantly improved insomnia symptoms, sleep disturbance, and sleep efficiency, with medium to large effect sizes, demonstrating its preliminary efficacy for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot randomized controlled trial of eHealth cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia among Spanish-speaking breast cancer survivors. Oswald, LB., Morales-Cruz, J., Eisel, SL., et al.[2023]

The Survivorship Sleep Program (SSP), a synchronous virtual cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) tailored for cancer survivors, demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability, with 90% retention and 100% attendance among participants.

The SSP led to significant reductions in insomnia severity compared to enhanced usual care, with a large effect size (Cohen d = 1.19) that was maintained at a 1-month follow-up, indicating its potential effectiveness for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Survivorship Sleep Program (SSP): A synchronous, virtual cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia pilot program among cancer survivors. Hall, DL., Arditte Hall, KA., Gorman, MJ., et al.[2023]

Cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) significantly improved sleep efficiency by 15.5% in cancer survivors, based on a review of 8 studies involving 752 participants, demonstrating its efficacy in treating insomnia in this population.

Patients receiving CBT-I experienced substantial reductions in sleep latency and wake after sleep onset, with durable effects lasting up to 6 months, supporting a strong recommendation for its use among cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in cancer survivors. Johnson, JA., Rash, JA., Campbell, TS., et al.[2022]

The AYA Can-Sleep programme aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a stepped-care cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) approach for adolescents and young adults with cancer, targeting 80 participants aged 16-25.

This study will assess the effectiveness of initial self-management and coaching for sleep difficulties, with further individualized CBT offered if needed, contributing valuable insights into improving sleep health in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AYA 'Can-Sleep' programme: protocol for a stepped-care, cognitive behavioural therapy-based approach to the management of sleep difficulties in adolescents and young adults with cancer. Vaughan, E., Ftanou, M., Lewin, J., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39987779/

Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in ... Conclusions: Web-based CBT-I with clinician support appears to be an effective treatment for insomnia in cancer survivors, offering meaningful benefits for ...

2. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/sleep/article/48/6/zsaf014/7960093

Impact and mechanisms of cognitive behavioral therapy for ... CBT-I resulted in significant improvement in fatigue, and these effects were largely accounted for by changes in insomnia. CBT-I is a robust intervention with ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823907

Voice-Activated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia This randomized clinical trial of an in-home, voice-activated CBT-I program among breast cancer survivors found that the intervention improved insomnia ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40982264/

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in People With ... CBT-I was associated with significantly improved outcomes for insomnia severity (g = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.81-1.16) and moderate effect sizes ...

5. neurologylive.com neurologylive.com/view/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-insomnia-demonstrates-effectiveness-improving-cancer-related-fatigue

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Insomnia Demonstrates ... Use of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) was effective in treating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) while controlling for the common comorbidities.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945725000723

Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in ... Web-based CBT-I with clinician support appears to be an effective treatment for insomnia in cancer survivors, offering meaningful benefits for comorbid symptoms ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11423177/

Voice-Activated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia This randomized clinical trial investigates whether in-home delivery of a daily voice-activated cognitive behavioral therapy program improves insomnia symptoms

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04026048

Online Treatment of Cognitive Impairment and Insomnia in ... The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial of immediate treatment with CBT-I compared to a delayed treatment group with 124 cancer survivors ...

9. bmccancer.biomedcentral.com bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-025-14192-y

Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia compared ... Compared with controls, CBT-I improved insomnia at an average magnitude greater than half of the MIC but did not reach the MCID threshold.