A randomized-controlled trial of an early minimal cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia comorbid with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to provide preliminary evidence on the efficacy of an early minimal cognitive-behavioural therapy for acute insomnia (mCBT-I) comorbid with cancer.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients (92% female; Mage 57; all Caucasian) with various types of cancer and having insomnia symptoms for less than 6 months were randomized to a self-administered mCBT-I condition (n=20; 6 short booklets + 3 phone consultations with a psychologist, over 6 weeks) or a no-treatment condition (n=18). Measures were completed at pre-treatment and post-treatment, as well as at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.


RESULTS
All sleep parameters and the average dosage of hypnotics were significantly improved from pre- to post-treatment among treated participants, but not in control participants. mCBT-I was also associated with a significantly greater reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms, maladaptive sleep habits, and erroneous beliefs about sleep, as well as with a significantly greater improvement of subjective cognitive functioning. A greater proportion of mCBT-I participants than controls met the criteria for a clinical remission at post-treatment. Therapeutic gains of mCBT-I were well sustained up to 6 months after the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the efficacy of an early minimal CBT-I to treat acute insomnia comorbid with cancer.
School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec and Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, 11 Côte du Palais, Québec, G1R 2J6, Canada; Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Québec, 11, Côte du Palais, Québec, Québec, G1R 2J6, Canada.
Lucie
L
Casault
School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec and Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, 11 Côte du Palais, Québec, G1R 2J6, Canada. Electronic address: josee.savard@psy.ulaval.ca.
Josée
J
Savard
School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec and Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, 11 Côte du Palais, Québec, G1R 2J6, Canada.
Hans
H
Ivers
Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec and Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, 11 Côte du Palais, Québec, G1R 2J6, Canada.
Marie-Hélène
MH
Savard
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Acute; Cancer; Cognitive-behavioural therapy; Early minimal intervention; Insomnia