188 Participants Needed

Combination Therapy for Sleep Disturbance in Cancer

Sriram Yennu | MD Anderson Cancer Center
Overseen BySriram Yennu
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

To learn if Cognitive Behavior Therapy (called CBT), combined with either Bright Light Therapy (called BLT), methylphenidate, and/or melatonin, can help improve sleep and other related symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients. This is an investigational study. In this study, BLT, Methylphenidate and Melatonin will be compared to their placebos.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you must stop taking your current medications. However, you must be on stable doses of any hypnosedative drugs, stimulants, or antidepressants for at least 1 month before joining. You cannot use certain medications like systemic anti-inflammatory drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or anticoagulants.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for sleep disturbance in cancer patients?

Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is effective in improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia in cancer patients, with benefits that last even after the treatment ends. This suggests that CBT-I, as part of a combination therapy, could be beneficial for sleep disturbances in cancer patients.12345

Is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) safe for cancer patients?

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is generally considered safe for cancer patients and has been shown to improve sleep, mood, fatigue, and overall quality of life without significant safety concerns.23467

How is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) unique for treating sleep disturbances in cancer patients?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is unique for treating sleep disturbances in cancer patients because it focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to sleep problems, rather than relying on medication. This approach can be particularly beneficial for cancer patients who may already be taking multiple medications and prefer a non-drug treatment option.89101112

Research Team

SY

Sriram Yennu, MD

Principal Investigator

MD Anderson

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking cancer patients with sleep issues, stable or no pain, and a life expectancy of over a year. They must be cognitively able to participate and not have severe psychiatric illnesses, certain sleep disorders, or be on specific medications that could interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been sleeping poorly for at least 2 weeks.
Ability to communicate in English
My pain is either nonexistent, mild, or stable on my current pain medication.
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Exclusion Criteria

I am not taking MOI, tricyclic antidepressants, or anticoagulants.
I have high anxiety or depression, or I've been on a stable dose of antidepressants for at least 1 month.
I have been on a stable dose of sleep or stimulant medication for at least 1 month.
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) combined with Bright Light Therapy (BLT), Methylphenidate, and/or Melatonin for 6 weeks

6 weeks
Weekly visits for CBT, daily BLT sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sleep quality and other symptoms at 3- and 6-months post-intervention

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Bright Light Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Melatonin
  • Methylphenidate
Trial OverviewThe study tests if Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) combined with Bright Light Therapy (BLT), methylphenidate, melatonin, or their placebos can improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue, anxiety, and depression in advanced cancer patients.
Participant Groups
4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Placebo (CLT+ placebo MT + placebo MP with CBT)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Patients receive placebo Melatonin (called placebo MT) PO QD for 6 weeks, placebo Methylphenidate (called placebo MP) PO BID for 6 weeks, Control Light Therapy (called CLT) for 30 minutes daily for 6 weeks and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (called CBT) weekly for 6 weeks.
Group II: Methylphenidate (CLT + placebo MT + MP with CBT)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients receive Control Light Therapy (called CLT) for 30 minutes daily for 6 weeks, placebo Melatonin (called placebo MT) PO QD for 6 weeks, Methylphenidate (called MP) PO BID for 6 weeks, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (called CBT) weekly for 6 weeks.
Group III: Combination Therapy (BLT+MT+MP with CBT)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Patients receive Melatonin (called MT) PO QD for 6 weeks, Methylphenidate (called MP) PO BID for 6 weeks, Bright Light Therapy (called BLT) for 30 minutes daily for 6 weeks, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (called CBT) weekly for 6 weeks.
Group IV: Bright light and Melatonin (BLT + MT+ placebo MP with CBT)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Patients receive Bright Light Therapy (called BLT) for 30 minutes daily for 6 weeks, Melatonin (called MT) PO QD for 6 weeks, placebo Methylphenidate (called placebo MP) PO BID for 6 weeks, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (called CBT) weekly for 6 weeks.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for:
  • Chronic pain management
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depressive disorders
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for:
  • Chronic pain management
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depressive disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for:
  • Chronic pain management
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depressive disorders

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
3,107
Recruited
1,813,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 57 women with chronic insomnia related to breast cancer, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to significant subjective sleep improvements, which were best predicted by reduced dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and higher treatment expectancies.
At the 6-month follow-up, adherence to behavioral strategies was crucial for maintaining subjective sleep improvements, although these factors did not significantly correlate with objective sleep measures from polysomnography.
Predictors of the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia comorbid with breast cancer.Tremblay, V., Savard, J., Ivers, H.[2018]
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.
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]
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, such as stimulus control and relaxation, can effectively address sleep issues in cancer patients, who often face unique challenges that worsen their sleep problems.
The article emphasizes the importance of tailoring CBT techniques to individual factors like age, gender, and cancer history to enhance their effectiveness in improving sleep quality for cancer patients.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sleep in Cancer Patients: Research, Techniques, and Individual Considerations.Melton, L.[2020]

References

Predictors of the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia comorbid with breast cancer. [2018]
Sleeping well with cancer: a systematic review of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in cancer patients. [2022]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sleep in Cancer Patients: Research, Techniques, and Individual Considerations. [2020]
Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in breast cancer: A meta-analysis. [2022]
Cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia in cancer patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. [2022]
Light enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and fatigue during chemotherapy for breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in cancer survivors. [2022]
Symposium theme: a conceptual approach to integrated cancer therapy. [2019]
Associating Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapies: Facts and Hopes. [2023]
Combinatorial Approach to Improve Cancer Immunotherapy: Rational Drug Design Strategy to Simultaneously Hit Multiple Targets to Kill Tumor Cells and to Activate the Immune System. [2020]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cancer immunotherapy: Strategies for personalization and combinatorial approaches. [2022]
New Immunotherapy and Lung Cancer. [2018]