SleepCARE Study finds Effective Insomnia Treatment during Chemotherapy
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A Monash University-led study has found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can meaningfully reduce insomnia symptoms for women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the SleepCARE study tested Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Bright Light Therapy (BLT), both separately and in combination, among 219 women receiving chemotherapy for early or metastatic breast cancer.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of four six-week programs:
- CBT-I: a program that helps people change sleep habits and thinking patterns that contribute to insomnia
- BLT: wearing light glasses typically near wake-up time and reducing light exposure at night to support the body clock
- CBT-I plus BLT
- Sleep hygiene education
Women who received CBT-I, either alone or in combination with BLT, experienced greater improvements in insomnia symptoms than those who did not receive CBT-I.
While previous studies have explored sleep interventions after cancer treatment, this study is one of the first to examine ways to support women while they are actively undergoing chemotherapy. It is also the first to directly compare CBT-I and BLT in this setting.
Previous studies of BLT have typically involved small sample sizes of 20 to 30 participants. By contrast, the SleepCARE trial included more than 200 women and evaluated the therapies both individually and in combination.
“We’re passionate about finding solutions to improve sleep for people with cancer with a larger, national program building on this trial being developed,” says Dr Wiley. “About 6 in every 10 people affected by cancer experience sleep difficulties, so it’s good to have this research that investigates treatment and support during chemotherapy. ”
The findings suggest that CBT-I can be an effective, low-burden way to manage insomnia during chemotherapy. Importantly, the program was delivered with minimal clinician contact and could be provided via telehealth.
The study also reinforces the value of discussing sleep difficulties with your treatment team. Insomnia is common during chemotherapy, but support is available and effective treatments exist.
Resources
What to do if you need help:
It is common for patients to receive support for sleep difficulties only after they have become a significant problem. This can mean a sustained period of poor sleep, fatigue, mood changes, and reduced energy and focus during treatment.
Research such as SleepCARE highlights the opportunity to provide meaningful sleep support earlier in the treatment journey. Clinicians have a growing evidence base to draw on, with practical tools and techniques available to help patients manage insomnia symptoms during active treatment.
CBT-I is the first-line, non-drug treatment for insomnia and can be delivered in a range of formats, including telehealth. Early conversations about sleep may help identify patients who would benefit from additional support.
We've listed a number of resources below for healthcare professionals and patients seeking evidence-based information on sleep and insomnia management.
Can-Sleep was developed by sleep and cancer experts at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre with support from the Victorian Cancer Survivorship Program. The resource brings together decades of clinical expertise, research, and lived experience. All strategies are grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi)—the gold-standard treatment for persistent sleep difficulties—and have been adapted to meet the specific needs of people affected by cancer. |
| CBT-I Coach App Download on Google Play or Apple Store |
SleepHealth Foundation provides a number of resources on CBT-I for anyone to use to help improve sleep. |
A self-paced online program to support sleep. |