0379 EFFECTS OF AN INTERNET-BASED VIDEOCONFERENCE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR INSOMNIA INTERVENTION

Abstract

Introduction: Insomnia is a prevalent condition affecting 30-50% of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Insomnia can originate during primary cancer treatment and persist for years, affecting long-term health and wellness throughout survivorship. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) is an effective treatment, but a dearth of trained providers requires the exploration of creative methods of CBTI delivery. Rural BCS, already vulnerable due to a lack of healthcare providers, have little access to specialty care such as CBTI. The aim of this study was to examine the results of an internet-based videoconference CBTI in a rural BCS population. Method(s): Eighteen rural BCS were enrolled in a 6-week CBTI intervention, using a pre/post study design. The individualized CBTI was provided via an internet-based videoconference using Adobe Connect. Participants completed sleep diaries daily throughout the 6-week CBTI, and symptom and quality of life surveys before and after the intervention. Dependent t-tests were used to compare changes in primary sleep outcomes, symptom burden, and quality of life. Result(s): All primary sleep measures improved significantly after the CBTI intervention, including sleep efficiency (p < .001), sleep latency (p < .001), wake after sleep onset (p = .001) and total sleep time (p = .001). Symptoms including fatigue (p < .001), pain (p < .001), and menopausal symptoms (p < .001) decreased significantly after treatment. Global quality of life increased significantly (p < .001), as well as the subscales of emotion (p < .001) and cognition (p < .001). Conclusion(s): CBTI is an established treatment for insomnia in BCS, but many rural survivors lack access to CBTI as a face to face intervention. This study contributes to the evidence that an online, videoconference CBTI intervention can be an effective method to help treat insomnia in rural BCS.