Interventions for insomnia in cancer patients and survivors-a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of bright white light therapy among other interventions for managing insomnia in adult cancer patients and survivors.
Results Summary
Bright white light therapy showed benefits for insomnia in cancer patients, but the evidence for its efficacy was less convincing compared to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).
Population
Adult cancer patients and survivors with insomnia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | decrease | insomnia severity | cancer survivors | - | emerged as the most efficacious intervention for reducing | #1 |
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | decrease | fatigue | cancer survivors | - | demonstrated significant improvements in | #2 |
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | decrease | depressive symptoms | cancer survivors | - | demonstrated significant improvements in | #3 |
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | decrease | anxiety | cancer survivors | - | demonstrated significant improvements in | #4 |
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | decrease | insomnia severity | cancer survivors | g = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57 to 1.15 | showed a large postintervention effect | #5 |
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | decrease | insomnia severity | cancer survivors | g = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.92 | showed a medium effect at follow-up | #6 |
bright white light therapy | decrease | insomnia severity | adult cancer patients and survivors | - | showed benefits | #7 |
sleep medication | decrease | insomnia severity | adult cancer patients and survivors | - | showed benefits | #8 |
melatonin | decrease | insomnia severity | adult cancer patients and survivors | - | showed benefits | #9 |
exercise | decrease | insomnia severity | adult cancer patients and survivors | - | showed benefits | #10 |
mind-body therapies | decrease | insomnia severity | adult cancer patients and survivors | - | showed benefits | #11 |
mindfulness-based therapies | decrease | insomnia severity | adult cancer patients and survivors | - | showed benefits | #12 |
Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia | decrease | insomnia severity | patients in active cancer treatment | - | showed promise as a less burdensome alternative | #13 |
BACKGROUND: Considering the persistent nature and higher prevalence of insomnia in cancer patients and survivors compared with the general population, there is a need for effective management strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the available evidence for the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for insomnia in adult cancer patients and survivors. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we analyzed data from 61 randomized controlled trials involving 6528 participants. Interventions included pharmacological, physical, and psychological treatments, with a focus on insomnia severity and secondary sleep and non-sleep outcomes. Frequentist and Bayesian analytical strategies were employed for data synthesis and interpretation. RESULTS: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) emerged as the most efficacious intervention for reducing insomnia severity in cancer survivors and further demonstrated significant improvements in fatigue, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. CBT-I showed a large postintervention effect (g = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57 to 1.15) and a medium effect at follow-up (g = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.92). Other interventions such as bright white light therapy, sleep medication, melatonin, exercise, mind-body therapies, and mindfulness-based therapies showed benefits, but the evidence for their efficacy was less convincing compared with CBT-I. Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia showed promise as a less burdensome alternative for patients in active cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CBT-I is supported as a first-line treatment for insomnia in cancer survivors, with significant benefits observed across sleep and non-sleep outcomes. The findings also highlight the potential of less intensive alternatives. The research contributes valuable insights for clinical practice and underscores the need for further exploration into the complexities of sleep disturbances in cancer patients and survivors.