Feasibility of a Telemedicine-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Rural Breast Cancer Survivors.

Feasibility of a Telemedicine-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Rural Breast Cancer Survivors.

Oncol Nurs Forum. 2018 Sep 01;45(5):607-618

Authors: McCarthy MS, Matthews EE, Battaglia C, Meek PM

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a nurse-led, telemedicine-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) in rural breast cancer survivors (BCSs).
SAMPLE & SETTING: 18 BCSs diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer in the rural western United States.
METHODS & VARIABLES: In this prospective, pre-/post-test, quasiexperimental feasibility pilot trial, BCSs attended six weekly sessions of CBTI via Internet videoconference. Feasibility was assessed using recruitment and acceptability of the intervention. Primary outcomes were diary-based sleep efficiency (SE), sleep latency (SL), total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and number of nightly awakenings; secondary outcomes included quality of life (QOL), mental health, and daily functioning.
RESULTS: Following the intervention, participants reported improvements in sleep outcomes, including SE and SL. QOL and daily functioning improved, but anxiety and depression did not.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurse-led, telemedicine-delivered CBTI for rural BCSs is feasible and may be effective in managing insomnia. Additional research is needed to determine widespread effectiveness and best practices for dissemination and implementation.

PMID: 30118453 [PubMed - in process]