Brief, Family-Centered, Videoconference-Based Behavioral Insomnia Program in Elementary School-Aged Pediatric Cancer
Eric S Zhou1,2,3, Briana Bice1, Valerie McLaughlin Crabtree4
1Perini Family Survivors' Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Pediatric cancer survivors often face insomnia. A videoconference intervention improved sleep and quality of life for caregivers of school-aged survivors, even when delivered by staff without specialized sleep training.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Behavioral Health
Background:
- Pediatric cancer survivors have an increased risk of insomnia.
- A shortage of trained clinicians limits access to recommended behavioral interventions.
- There is a lack of research on sleep interventions for school-aged survivors with unique age-related sleep challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a videoconference-based behavioral insomnia intervention for caregivers of school-aged pediatric cancer survivors.
- To assess the feasibility of delivering the intervention using staff without prior specialized sleep training.
- To evaluate the intervention's impact on caregiver-reported sleep and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A total of 15 caregivers of children (aged 5-12 years) with cancer and insomnia participated.
- An evidence-based behavioral insomnia intervention was delivered via videoconference.
- Intervention sessions were conducted by staff without prior sleep education or training.
- Self-report measures of sleep and quality of life were collected pre-intervention and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Caregivers reported significant improvements in sleep quality after the intervention.
- Caregivers reported significant improvements in quality of life post-intervention.
- The intervention was delivered successfully by non-specialized staff.
Conclusions:
- A brief, videoconference-delivered behavioral insomnia intervention shows preliminary effectiveness for caregivers of pediatric cancer survivors.
- This approach may be a feasible and resource-efficient method to address insomnia in this population.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger trials.
Abstract:
Pediatric cancer survivors are at heightened risk for insomnia. Though behavioral interventions are the recommended approach, there are not enough trained clinicians. No known published trials have been conducted among school-aged survivors, despite them having unique age-related sleep issues. Here, we tested a videoconference-based behavioral insomnia intervention program enrolling 15 caregivers of cancer survivors (5-12 years) with insomnia. Staff without prior sleep education/training delivered intervention sessions providing evidence-based strategies tailored to family needs. Self-report measures were collected before intervention and approximately 2 weeks post intervention. Caregivers reported significant sleep and quality-of-life improvements. Thus, we show preliminary support for a brief intervention that does not require significant resources or clinical expertise.
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