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. 2017 Apr 19:9:1-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2017.03.005. eCollection 2017 Sep.

Guided web-based intervention for insomnia targeting breast cancer patients: Feasibility and effect

Els Dozeman  1   2   3 , Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw  1   2   4   5 , Josée Savard  6   7 , Annemieke van Straten  1   2
Affiliations

Guided web-based intervention for insomnia targeting breast cancer patients: Feasibility and effect

Els Dozeman et al. Internet Interv. .

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is highly prevalent in breast cancer (BRC) patients, but non-pharmacological treatment is not widely available. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether guided cognitive behavioral therapy via the Internet (I-CBT) is a feasible and effective solution for this undertreated condition in BRC patients, and to investigate who benefits most.

Methods: An existing evidence based I-CBT sleep intervention (I-Sleep) was adapted for BRC patients. An open mixed methods design was used including qualitative interviews and pre- and post-test questionnaires measuring sleep, fatigue, daily functioning, and psychological distress.

Results: 100 of the 171 participants (59%) completed the intervention fully and participants highly valued the intervention (7.5 out of 10). Large to small pre-post effect sizes were found on insomnia severity (d = 1.33) fatigue (d = 0.24), and daytime functioning (d = 0.30). Younger patients and patients with more severe insomnia at baseline benefited most from the intervention.

Conclusion: The I-CBT intervention I-Sleep is feasible, well-accepted, and effective for BRC patients who suffer from insomnia, especially for younger patients and those with more severe insomnia.

Keywords: Breast cancer; CBT; E-health; Insomnia; Internet; Web-based intervention.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of participants' progress though the study phases: pre- and post-treatment measurement, and intervention adherence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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