A new study suggests that behavioral intervention can help cancer patients with sleeping problems.
Researchers from the Penn Medicine report that the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-1) and mindfulness based stress reduction (MSBR) exercises has positive effects on the reduction of sleep problems among cancer patients.
They recruited 111 cancer patients from Calgary, Alberta, Canada who were randomly given either CBT-1 or MSBR interventions to help treat their insomnia. After completing eight weeks of these behavioural exercises, researchers discovered that both MSBR and CBT-1 are effective in reducing the severity of insomnia for each group of patients. The only difference noted between the two interventions is that the group who received CBT-1 reduced their sleeping problems more rapidly than those who were given MSBR, who showed gradual signs of sleep improvement.
Both groups showed significant increase in their sleep time and they have decreased the amount time needed for them to fall asleep or go back to sleep. CBT-1 and MSBR are also effective in improving the overall mood of the patients and in reducing their stress-related symptoms.
Clinical Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center in Integrative Oncology and Behavioral Sleep Medicine and study lead author, Sheila Garland, Phd, said in a press release, "Insomnia and disturbed sleep are significant problems that can affect approximately half of all cancer patients. If not properly addressed, sleep disturbances can negatively influence therapeutic and supportive care measures for these patients, so it's critical that clinicians can offer patients reliable, effective, and tailored interventions."
It is estimated that 36 to 59 percent of cancer patients are suffering from sleep problems and 28 percent of them are formally diagnosed with insomnia. Although there are many drugs that help cure insomnia, cancer patients are usually reluctant to take any additional medication due to the fear of side effects and possible dependency on the drug.
"That MBSR can produce similar improvements to CBT-I and that both groups can effectively reduce stress and mood disturbance expands the available treatment options for insomnia in cancer patients," stated Dr. Garland. "This study suggests that we should not apply a 'one size fits all model' to the treatment of insomnia and emphasizes the need to individualize treatment based on patient characteristics and preferences."
The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
