New therapy to help cancer patients with insomnia

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Behavioral Therapy for Cancer Related Insomnia

NIH-funded research Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11061295

This study is testing a quick and easy therapy to help cancer patients who have trouble sleeping, especially those getting chemotherapy, to see if it works better than a healthy eating program in improving their sleep and overall well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Richmond, United States)
Project IDNIH-11061295 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a brief behavioral therapy designed specifically for cancer patients experiencing insomnia, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy. The therapy consists of two face-to-face meetings and four short phone calls, making it easy to integrate into patients' treatment schedules. By addressing insomnia early, the therapy aims to prevent chronic sleep issues and improve overall well-being. The study will involve 400 patients across multiple oncology clinics, comparing the effectiveness of this therapy against a healthy eating education program.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are cancer patients currently receiving chemotherapy who are experiencing insomnia symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or do not have insomnia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve sleep quality and overall health for cancer patients undergoing treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise for behavioral therapies in managing insomnia, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Richmond, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.