SWAN (Sleep Well at Night) Study
Assessing the feasibility of a multi-modal intervention for sleep disturbances in patients with advanced cancer.
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What is the study about?
Normally, people are more physically active during the day and generally sleep well at night. Research has shown that this isn’t always the case for people with cancer, and this can lead to worse symptoms, quality of life, and potentially impact outcomes.
The most common treatment of sleep disturbances is medication which often comes with unwanted side-effects and risk.
This study aims to test whether a non-drug intervention can be given to people with cancer to help with sleep disturbances. The study also aims to see if the intervention improves symptoms and quality of life.
If you are a person with cancer who has been identified as having a sleep disturbance, this study may be for you.
The study is taking place at University College, Dublin, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services & St. Vincent’s University Hospital.
To find out more, please contact the research team at the bottom of the page.
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What is involved in taking part?
The study will take place over 8-weeks. You will meet with the researcher on two occasions at the beginning of the study and two occasions at the end of the study.
The intervention itself involves an online cognitive behavioural therapy course, daily light therapy and engaging with an activity plan which will be completed over 6-weeks.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for Insomnia is considered the "gold standard" treatment for insomnia. It focuses on restructuring the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are contributing to insomnia. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia has been shown to be effective at improving the time it takes for people to fall asleep and reducing the amount of times you wake up in the night.
Light therapy mimics our natural exposure to sunlight. Light exposure may help to improve our sleep during the night, our mood, and our activity or attention levels during the day. Light therapy will be delivered using a light box. The study will involve sitting near a light box for 30 minutes every morning. This can take place whilst doing your normal morning activities, such as eating breakfast or reading a book. The light box will be provided to you for the duration of the study.
We will also review your physical activity levels, including your most active and inactive periods. We will then discuss your interests, any barriers to activity, and work together to set goals for the study. You will be provided with a device which will feedback on how active you have been.
Whilst taking part in the study you will be asked to complete a sleep diary during your first and final week in the study.
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More information and sign up
If you are interested in taking part in this study, please contact the researcher, Shauna Munir.
> Email: (opens in a new window)shauna.munir@ucdconnect.ie
> Phone: 0830576831
Shauna will be able to provide more information on the study and answer any questions that you might have.
Shauna will check to see if you are eligible to take part and provide you with a Participant Information Leaflet as well as a consent form.
Taking part in the study is voluntary. You can change your mind at any point and withdraw your consent. If you decide you no longer want to take part in the study, you do not have to give a reason why and this decision will not affect your future medical care.