Insomnia therapy in cancer populations showed modest benefits, with substantial uncertainty
A Cochrane review found possible improvements in reported insomnia and sleep quality. Objective sleep measurements showed less consistent benefit.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This abstract-based review suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia may modestly improve reported insomnia symptoms and sleep quality in people with cancer. Most evidence was uncertain, and objective sleep measurements showed less clear benefits. The results do not establish longer-term improvement or reliable differences in serious adverse events.
Risk of bias was often high, and evidence certainty was mostly low or very low. Participants were predominantly women, with breast cancer the most studied cancer, limiting confidence in broader application.
What researchers found
Insomnia Severity Index score
CBT-I versus inactive control at treatment completion; typical programs lasted 4–12 weeks. Very low-certainty evidence; lower scores favored CBT-I.
Reported sleep and measured sleep
Compared with inactive controls, participants reported less severe insomnia and somewhat better sleep quality. Sleep diaries suggested shorter time to fall asleep, but total sleep time and most objective sleep measurements showed little clear difference.
The comparison also matters
Against aerobic activity, reported insomnia and sleep quality also favored therapy, with low-certainty evidence. Objective total sleep time was shorter with therapy, while several other measured sleep outcomes remained inconclusive.
The original publication
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in people with cancer.
Cai Z, Tang Y, Liu C et al.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41170811
- Record checked
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