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Sleep disturbance in cancer patients and caregivers who contact telephone-based help services
Morris, Bronwyn A. Thorndike, Frances P. Ritterband, Lee M. Glozier, Nick Dunn, Jeff Chambers, Suzanne K.
Morris, Bronwyn A.
Thorndike, Frances P.
Ritterband, Lee M.
Glozier, Nick
Dunn, Jeff
Chambers, Suzanne K.
Abstract
Purpose
Insomnia is highly prevalent in people who are affected by cancer. However, options available to receive support for insomnia are limited. Telephone-based help services, such as cancer helplines, may be ideally placed to meet unmet needs regarding insomnia after cancer. The present study describes the prevalence and predictors of insomnia in patients and caregivers who call cancer helplines seeking support.
Methods
Participants (N = 500 patients, N = 234 caregivers) were recruited through an Australian state-based telephone-delivered cancer helpline. In addition to routine screening with the Distress Thermometer, participants were administered the Insomnia Severity Index.
Results
Most participants were female, older than 50 years of age, and were three (caregivers) to four (patients) months post-diagnosis. Insomnia symptoms were reported by 59.4 % of patients and 62.9 % of caregivers, with moderate to severe levels of insomnia reported by 27 % of patients and 30 % of caregivers. Insomnia was predicted by distress level for both patients (β = .31, p < .001) and caregivers (β = .32, p < .001) and age for patients only (β = −.13, p < .01).
Conclusions
Insomnia symptoms are common in patients and caregivers who call cancer helplines and appear to be related to distress. Telephone-based helplines have the potential to act as the first line of support in a stepped care approach addressing insomnia.
Keywords
insomnia, sleep, distress, cancer
Date
2015
Type
Journal article
Journal
Supportive Care in Cancer
Book
Volume
23
Issue
4
Page Range
1113-1120
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled