Measuring Insomnia Treatment Response in Breast Cancer

This study is open to individuals who live in or around St. John’s, NL, who have difficulties with sleep and have at one point been diagnosed with cancer.

We are currently looking for cancer survivors who have struggled with insomnia to participate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Before and after treatment, participants will also complete cognitive assessments and use the Cerebra Sleep System, an in-home polysomnography, to measure sleep. The purpose of this study is to understand how a new measure of sleep depth and quality changes in response to CBT-I in breast cancer survivors. We are also interested in how these changes in sleep are related to changes in cognitive functioning. CBT-I is a multicomponent treatment designed to address behaviors and thoughts that are known to influence the development and maintenance of sleep difficulties. CBT-I is the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia and has been shown to improve sleep in the general population and in cancer survivors.

Participation in this study involves:

- 7 weekly sessions of CBT-I (in-person or online)

- Completion of questionnaires and cognitive assessments one week before and one week after treatment 

- Use of the Cerebra Sleep System (in-home polysomnography) at home for one night before treatment and one night after treatment

Are you considering joining the study? Contact us below (or email sleeplab@mun.ca) for more details!

 If you have questions regarding this study or the rights of research participants please contact the Health Research Ethics Authority at 709-864-8871 or info@hrea.ca