Exploring insomnia in people with secondary breast cancer.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring suitable treatments for advanced breast cancer patients with long-term insomnia through stakeholder collaboration (ESTABLISH).
IRAS ID
354804
Contact name
Leanne Fleming
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is a multicomponent intervention that is recommended (NICE Guideline) as the gold standard treatment for insomnia. It combines cognitive, behavioural, and psychoeducational components, which can vary based on the unique needs of each person. Whilst CBTi has been used successfully to treat insomnia in survivors of primary breast cancer, but people with secondary breast cancer have been deliberately excluded from studies due partly to concerns about side-effects of the behavioural components of CBTi. However, such side-effects (e.g., increased daytime sleepiness) are usually short-lived and less severe than side-effects from sleeping medication. Evidence shows that CBTi is effective for reducing depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and increasing quality of life in breast cancer survivors (Fleming et al, 2014; Espie et al, 2008). The exclusion of people with secondary breast cancer from insomnia trials means that we have no understanding of whether CBTi would be a feasible and acceptable treatment for this population. The aim of this research is to co-produce and refine an insomnia intervention that is tailored for the secondary breast cancer population using a series of stakeholder workshops. We will recruit people with secondary breast cancer, carers, and healthcare professionals to participate in separate workshop groups. Participants will be asked to attend up to 3 workshops to develop the intervention and provide feedback via a survey. A sub-sample will be invited to participate in a working group meeting to finalise the intervention.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
25/WS/0059
Date of REC Opinion
14 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion