Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia delivered during patient therapy improved sleep for cancer patient and caregivers.

A brief cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) delivered during patient therapy in the infusion room improved sleep over 4 weeks in patients and caregivers, with little to no negative effects on clinic flow, according to a study presented at the ONS 40th Annual Congress.

More than 40% of patients with cancer and 50% of family caregivers experience insomnia. Pharmacologic therapy is the most accessible intervention; however, it treats the symptoms but not the cause of insomnia.

Behavior therapy is the most effective because it treats the symptoms, but it is the least accessible, Patricia Carter, PhD, RN, CNS, University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing Austin, Texas, explained.

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