Improving Sleep Among Cancer Patients: Comparison Between Physical Activity and Self-administered Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Improving Sleep Among Cancer Patients: Comparison Between Physical Activity and Self-administered Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

It has been suggested that the practice of physical exercise can improve sleep, but few studies have investigated this issue in the context of cancer, despite the proven benefits of exercise in this population. This randomized-controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare the efficacy of an aerobic intervention program to that of a self-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve sleep of cancer patients. Forty-one men and women with insomnia symptoms and treated within 6 months for a non-metastatic cancer participated in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• a diagnosis of non-metastatic cancer
• adjuvant treatments completed within the past 6 months
• insomnia symptoms as defined by a score ≥ 8 on the Insomnia Severity Index
• practicing less than 90 minutes of physical exercise per week
• able to readily read and understand French
• available during a consecutive 6-week period to complete the intervention
• written permission from physician to engage in a physical exercise program

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe cognitive impairments (e.g., diagnosis of Parkinson disease)
• severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., severe major depression)
• diagnosis of a sleep disorder other than insomnia (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea)
• any contraindication for the practice of physical exercise