0365 The Effectiveness of Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients

The emotional, psychological and financial challenges of a cancer diagnosis profoundly affect patients and contribute to sleep difficulties. Insomnia affects 31%-54% of those newly diagnosed or undergoing treatment, and persists up to 5 years after treatment for cancer. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia is effective for sleep and insomnia outcomes, with no difference in outcomes for in-person or self-help CBT. Trials of digital CBT (dCBT) have recruited breast cancer survivors from Denmark and past pilot work did not identify statistically significant effects for fatigue and quality of life in US cancer survivors with insomnia. This study examined the effectiveness of a fully automated digital therapeutic (Sleepio) for improving insomnia, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with cancer from the US, UK, and Australia.

This is a secondary analysis of participants (n=70) with insomnia who self-reported a cancer diagnosis before randomization in a large effectiveness trial of dCBT for insomnia. Participants were randomized to receive either dCBT or a sleep hygiene education control. Insomnia (SCI-8), fatigue (FFS), and global health-related quality of life (PROMIS-10) were evaluated at baseline, 8-weeks post treatment and 24-weeks follow-up. Effect estimates are mean group differences, adjusted for baseline scores estimated using regression models.

Digital CBT was superior to control for reducing symptoms of insomnia and fatigue at both post-treatment and follow-up (all p< 0.05). For the dCBT group, global PROMIS-10 scores were improved, although not significantly, at post-treatment (p=0.076), but were significantly higher at follow-up (p< 0.05).

Digital CBT was effective for reducing symptoms of insomnia and fatigue in patients with cancer and results were maintained after five and a half months. Significant improvements in global health-related quality of life scores at follow-up suggest effects extend beyond improvements to sleep. Findings may benefit patients with cancer as dCBT may provide scalable access to an effective treatment without contraindications. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and value of improving sleep in those with cancer and sleep difficulty.

Big Health Inc.