Factors associated with sleep quality during chemotherapy: An integrative review

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer-related insomnia is one of the most common symptoms in patients with breast cancer, and acupuncture has been increasingly used in the treatment. However, there has been no meta-analysis that specifically explores the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating insomnia related to breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to systematically analyze the existing literature through a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for breast cancer-related insomnia.

METHODS

Six medical databases were comprehensively searched for previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 2024. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes include the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Sleep Onset Latency (SOL), Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), Total Sleep Time (TST), and Sleep Efficiency (SE), and the later four outcomes were measured by Actiwatch and sleep diary, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of seven articles with 434 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture produced a significant improvement in the total PSQI score (MD 95 %CI = -2.16[-2.88, - 1.45], P < 0.001), but had no statistical significance on ISI scores compared with controls (MD 95 %CI = -1.53[-3.97, 0.91], P = 0.22). From the Actiwatch, there was no substantial disparity observed in the enhancement of Sleep Onset Latency (SOL) (MD 95 %CI = -6.40[-13.19, 0.39], P = 0.06), Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO) (MD 95 %CI = -1.45[-7.09, 4.20], P = 0.62), or Total Sleep Time (TST) (MD 95 %CI = 3.54 [-4.71, 11.79], P = 0.40) between the experimental group and the control group. However, a significant distinction was observed in Sleep Efficiency (SE) improvement (MD 95 %CI = 2.43 [0.14, 4.72], P = 0.04). From the sleep diary, there was a significant difference in the amelioration of SOL (MD 95 %CI = -9.15[-16.48, - 1.81], P = 0.01), TST (MD 95 %CI = 29.92 [16.74, 43.10], P < 0.001), and SE (MD 95 %CI = 4.57 [1.92, 7.23], P = 0.0007) between the experimental group and the control group. However, no significant divergence was observed in the improvement of WASO (MD 95 %CI = 4.53[-4.81, 13.87], P = 0.34). All reported acupuncture-related adverse events were mild in severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Acupuncture can partially alleviate insomnia symptoms in breast cancer patients. Moreover, acupuncture is safe and may serve as a dependable alternative therapy in clinical settings. Owing to the limited number of studies included, potential biases of heterogeneous interventions, and methodological weaknesses of long-term follow-up, more high-quality RCTs with large sample sizes should be conducted to evaluate acupuncture treatment.

Body image, self-efficacy, and sleep quality among patients with breast cancer: A latent profile and mediation analysis

PURPOSE

As a sign of femininity, impaired breast after surgery causes particularly confusion for patients with breast cancer resulting in increased body image distress, which has negative impacts on sleep quality. And self-efficacy enables patients to use positive and effective coping strategies to maintain a favorable night's sleep. Therefore, our study is to explore the heterogeneity in body image experienced by patients with breast cancer and to examine the mediation effects of self-efficacy between body image and sleep quality.

METHOD

Between July 2023 and October 2023, 251 patients with breast cancer were recruited for the Be Resilient to Breast Cancer program. They responded to the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, Body Image Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale. Data were analyzed using a latent profile analysis (LPA) and mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Results of the LPA indicated that body image could be classified into three subgroups as follows: low (43.0%), moderate (45.5%), and high (11.5%). Furthermore, the mediation analysis demonstrated two partially mediated effects upon comparing the low and moderate (standard error, SE = 0.548, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.009, 0.366) and the high and low (SE = 0.848, 95% CI = 0.570, 3.909) body image groups.

CONCLUSION

Heterogeneity exists in body image, and self-efficacy mediates the relationship between body image and sleep quality. Hence, promoting self-efficacy can buffer the negative impacts of body image on sleep quality in patients with breast cancer, and self-efficacy-orientated interventions should also receive more attention in clinic.

Self-Completion Questionnaire on Sleep Evaluation in Patients Undergoing Oxaliplatin Therapy: An Observational Study

Sleep is a fundamental human need; sleep disruption, in fact, causes an increase in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, metabolic effects, changes in circadian rhythms, and pro-inflammatory responses. The scientific literature is finally starting to pay attention to the central role of sleep alterations in patients health. Oxaliplatin is extensively used for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer and other malignancies, with an increased frequency of use in recent years. This study aims to understand the effects of sleep complaints on health and quality of life in cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin. A study has been conducted through the creation and distribution of questionnaires to patients to investigate their complaints about sleep quality. We observed significant differences between males and females in evaluating sleep hygiene scores, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and previous difficulty sleeping. Moreover, in females, stress, worries, and anxiety seem to play a negative role in the sleep hygiene score. The obtained results could improve the interest of healthcare personnel and caregivers in sleep quality in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Sleep quality and psychological disorders in breast cancer female patients receiving radiotherapy at a tertiary oncology center in West Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women worldwide. Many recently diagnosed and treated breast cancer patients complain about sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue. This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality among breast cancer patients and to assess its association with psychological disorders, and socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among women who received radiotherapy for breast cancer (stage 1-3) at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City-Jeddah from January to August 2021. Each participant completed a personal information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Clinical data were collected from the medical records to evaluate certain risk factors. Descriptive statistics were used for participant characteristics, and analyses of variance were used to assess associations between the qualitative variables.

RESULTS

Fifty-six women with a mean age of 50.1 years and an average of 10 months after cancer diagnosis were included. Poor sleep quality was present in 58% of respondents. Symptomatic depression, anxiety, and stress were found in 34%, 32%, and 30% of women, respectively. Poor sleep quality was associated with depression (p = 0.031), anxiety (p = 0.03), and stress (p = 0.024) and was independently associated with hot flashes. In multivariate analysis, patients with depression or with cancer for more than 6 months were less likely to have good sleep after controlling other variables (21.74 and 14.71 times, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Poor sleep quality was present in 58% of women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy and was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and hot flashes. Depression level and cancer duration were significant predictors of sleep quality. Early identification and proper management of psychological and sleep disorders are necessary to improve the quality of life and survival of breast cancer patients.

Various types of stress and greater use of disengagement coping are associated with worse sleep disturbance in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy

Various types of stress and the choice of coping strategies may be risk factors for higher levels of sleep disturbance in oncology patients. Purposes were to evaluate for differences in global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, as well as resilience and the use of coping strategies among three subgroups of patients with distinct sleep disturbance profiles (i.e., Low, High, Very High). Oncology outpatients (n = 1331) completed measures of global (Perceived Stress Scale), cancer-specific (Impact of Event Scale-Revised), and cumulative life (Life Stressor Checklist-Revised) stress, resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) and coping (Brief Cope) prior to their second or third cycle of chemotherapy. Sleep disturbance was assessed six times over two chemotherapy cycles. Differences were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric tests. All stress measures showed a dose response effect (i.e., as the sleep disturbance profile worsened, levels of all types of stress increased). Compared to Low class, the other two classes reported higher levels of global perceived stress and higher occurrence rates and effect from previous stressful life events. Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores for the Very High class indicated post-traumatic symptomatology. Patients in High and Very High classes had resilience scores below the normative score for the United States population and used a higher number of disengagement coping strategies. Our findings suggest that very high levels of sleep disturbance are associated with higher levels of various types of stress, lower levels of resilience, and higher use of disengagement coping strategies. Clinicians need to perform routine assessments and implement symptom management interventions to reduce stress and encourage the use of engagement coping strategies.

Fibre-rich diet attenuates chemotherapy-related neuroinflammation in mice

The gastrointestinal microbiota has received increasing recognition as a key mediator of neurological conditions with neuroinflammatory features, through its production of the bioactive metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Although neuroinflammation is a hallmark shared by the neuropsychological complications of chemotherapy (including cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression), the use of microbial-based therapeutics has not previously been studied in this setting. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of a high fibre diet known to modulate the microbiota, and its associated metabolome, on neuroinflammation caused by the common chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Twenty-four female C57Bl/6 mice were treated with 5-FU (400 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.) or vehicle control, with or without a high fibre diet (constituting amylose starch; 4.7 % crude fibre content), given one week prior to 5-FU and until study completion (16 days after 5-FU). Faecal pellets were collected longitudinally for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and terminal SCFA concentrations of the caecal contents were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Neuroinflammation was determined by immunofluorescent analysis of astrocyte density (GFAP). The high fibre diet significantly altered gut microbiota composition, increasing the abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Akkermansiaceae (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0179) whilst increasing the production of propionate (p = 0.0097). In the context of 5-FU, the diet reduced GFAP expression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus (p < 0.0001) as well as the midbrain (p = 0.0216). Astrocyte density negatively correlated with propionate concentrations and the abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Akkermansiaceae, suggesting a relationship between neuroinflammatory and gastrointestinal markers in this model. This study provides the first evidence of the neuroprotective effects of fibre via dietary intake in alleviating the neuroimmune changes seen in response to systemically administered 5-FU, indicating that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is a targetable mediator to reduce the neurotoxic effects of chemotherapy treatment.

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Quality of Life and Incidence of Chemotherapy Side Effects in Women With Breast Cancer

Women with breast cancer (BC) experience multiple symptoms related to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) treatment that impair their functioning and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore the effect of high-intensity aerobic interval training (HIIT) on quality of life and NAC side effects in women with BC.

METHODS

56 patients (48.56 (7.84) years, range 35-64 years) diagnosed locally advanced (stage II-III) ER + BC receiving doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide-based NAC were randomly assigned to the HIIT group and a control group (CG) for 6 months. The HIIT group performed 2 to 3 HIIT sessions per week according to the study protocol (4 × 4 minutes at 85%-95% peak heart rate (HR)). The CG followed the standard of care instructions by the oncologists. To assess the QoL participants completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 with the additional BC module of QLQ BR-23. Weekly self-reports on NAC side effects were collected through online survey.

RESULTS

Study data were analyzed for 37 participants (nHIIT = 17, nCON = 20) who reported at least 14 (60%) weeks. HIIT was effective to reduce BC symptom scale outcomes (ES = 0.113, P = .048), and alleviate systemic therapy side effects (ES = 0.154, P = .020) and cancer related symptoms (ES = 0.124, P = .038). The most common side effect participants experienced at least 1 to 4 days/week was pain (average 50.9% and 56.8% for HIIT and CG, respectively), followed by sleep disturbances (average 50.9% and 49.9%, respectively). About 31% in both groups experienced sleep disturbances 5 to 7 days/week. The NAC induced physical, social and fatigue side effects had significantly lower incidence in HIIT group, while psychological side effects were significantly more common in training group.

CONCLUSIONS

HIIT is an effective physical exercise program to maintain higher quality of life and help to reduce some of NAC induced side effects for women with BC.

Poor Sleep Quality and Its Influencing Factors Among Iranian Patients with Esophageal and Gastric Cancer

Background

Sleep quality is a notable factor of well-being. It also may play a role in the development and progression of chronic diseases and cancers. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate poor sleep quality and its influencing factors among Iranian patients with esophageal and gastric cancer.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 312 Iranian adult patients who suffered from esophageal and gastric cancers were employed from a gastrointestinal cancer-based cohort study conducted in a referral hospital in Tehran between 2015 and 2018. Persian version of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure poor sleep quality. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were applied to determine the related factors to poor sleep quality.

Results

Of the participants, 203 (65.06%) were men, and 75.96% had gastric cancer. The mean age was 63.13±12.10 years. The results demonstrated that more than 62% of the patients had poor sleep quality. 148 (62.44%) patients out of 237 patients with gastric cancer had poor-quality sleep. Also, 46 (64.38%) patients out of 237 patients with esophageal cancer had poor-quality sleep. Based on the results of multiple logistic regression models, marital status has a negative association with poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR]=0.32, P=0.015). In addition, having chronic disease (OR=2.16; P=0.028) and wealth index (OR=3.11, P=0.013; OR=3.81, P=0.003; OR=3.29, P=0.009; OR=3.85, P=0.003 for rich, moderate, poor, and poorest subgroups, respectively) had a positive association with poor sleep quality.

Conclusion

The findings showed that about two-thirds of the patients studied were poor sleepers. Also, it was observed that marital status, chronic disease, and wealth index were important factors associated with poor sleep quality.

Oncology Outpatients With Worse Anxiety and Sleep Disturbance Profiles Are at Increased Risk for a Higher Symptom Burden and Poorer Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and sleep disturbance are frequent symptoms during chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES

Purposes were to identify subgroups of oncology outpatients with distinct joint anxiety and sleep disturbance profiles, as well as evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, sleep disturbance characteristics, severity of common symptoms, and quality-of-life outcomes among these subgroups.

METHODS

Oncology outpatients (n = 1331) completed self-report measures of anxiety and sleep disturbance 6 times over 2 chemotherapy cycles. Latent profile analysis was done to identify subgroups of patients with distinct joint anxiety and sleep disturbance profiles.

RESULTS

Three profiles were identified (ie, no anxiety and low sleep disturbance (59.7%), moderate anxiety and high sleep disturbance (32.5%), high anxiety and very high sleep disturbance (7.8%)). Compared with the no anxiety and low sleep disturbance class, the other 2 classes were younger; less likely to be married; had a lower annual household income; and had childcare responsibilities. Patients in the 2 worse profiles had problems with both sleep initiation and maintenance. These patients reported higher levels of depressive symptoms, trait and state anxiety, and evening fatigue, as well as lower levels of morning and evening energy, cognitive function, and poorer quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 40% of patients had moderate or high levels of anxiety and high or very high levels of sleep disturbance. Modifiable risk factors associated with these profiles may be used to develop targeted interventions for 1 or both symptoms.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Clinicians need to assess for the co-occurrence of anxiety and sleep disturbance.

Sleep disturbance and decrements in morning energy contribute to a higher symptom burden in oncology patients

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

An emerging area of research is the relationship between sleep disturbance and decrements in energy. Given the paucity of research on the co-occurrence of these two symptoms, study purposes were to identify subgroups of oncology patients with distinct joint sleep disturbance AND morning energy profiles and evaluate for differences among the subgroups in demographic, clinical, and sleep disturbance characteristics, as well as the severity of other common symptoms and QOL outcomes.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Patients (n = 1336) completed measures of sleep disturbance and energy 6 times over two cycles of chemotherapy. All of the other measures were completed at enrollment. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the distinct joint sleep disturbance and morning energy profiles.

RESULTS

Three distinct profiles were identified (i.e., Low Sleep Disturbance and High Morning Energy (Normal, 20.6%), Moderate Sleep Disturbance and Low Morning Energy (Moderately Severe, 52.1%), Very High Sleep Disturbance and Very Low Morning Energy (Very Severe, 27.3%). Compared to Normal class, other two classes were more likely to be female, less likely to be employed, and had higher comorbidity burden and poorer functional status. Symptom scores and QOL outcomes exhibited a dose response effect (i.e., as the profile worsened, symptom scores increased and QOL scores decreased).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the associations between sleep disturbance and decrements in energy and a higher symptom burden, poorer QOL outcomes, and increased mortality, assessment of these two symptoms needs to be a high priority for clinicians and appropriate interventions initiated.

Acupuncture for chemotherapy-associated insomnia in breast cancer patients: an assessor-participant blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Insomnia is a highly prevalent symptom occurred during and post-chemotherapy. Acupuncture may have beneficial effects in the management of chemotherapy-associated insomnia. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in improving chemotherapy-associated insomnia in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

This assessor-participant blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial was conducted from November 2019 to January 2022 (follow-up completed July 2022). Participants were referred by oncologists from two Hong Kong hospitals. Assessments and interventions were conducted at the outpatient clinic of School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong. The 138 breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated insomnia were randomly assigned to receive either 15 sessions of active acupuncture regimen by combining needling into body acupoints and acupressure on auricular acupoints or sham acupuncture control (69 each) for 18 weeks, followed by 24 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was measured using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Secondary outcomes included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Actiwatch and sleep diary for sleep parameters, depression and anxiety, fatigue and pain, and quality of life.

RESULTS

There were 87.7% (121/138) participants who completed the primary endpoint (week-6). The active acupuncture regimen was not superior to the sham control in reducing ISI score from baseline to 6 weeks (mean difference: - 0.4, 95% CI - 1.8-1.1; P = 0.609), but produced short-term treatment and long-term follow-up better outcomes in improving sleep onset latency, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Participants of the active acupuncture group had a pronouncedly higher cessation rate of sleeping medications than the sham control (56.5% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.011). All treatment-related adverse events were mild. No participants discontinued treatments due to adverse events.

CONCLUSION

The active acupuncture regimen could be considered as an effective option for the management of chemotherapy-associated insomnia. It also could serve as a tapering approach to reduce and even replace the use of sleeping medications in breast cancer patients. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT04144309. Registered 30 October 2019.

5-Fluorouracil Induces an Acute Reduction in Neurogenesis and Persistent Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of the Neuropsychological Complications of Chemotherapy

The neuropsychological symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatment remain a major challenge with their prevention hampered by insufficient understanding of pathophysiology. While long-term neuroimmune changes have been identified as a hallmark feature shared by neurological symptoms, the exact timeline of mechanistic events preceding neuroinflammation, and the relationship between the glial cells driving this neuroinflammatory response, remain unclear. We therefore aimed to longitudinally characterize the neuroimmunological changes following systemic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment to gain insight into the timeline of events preceding the well-documented chronic neuroinflammation seen following chemotherapy. Eighteen female C57Bl/6 mice received a single intraperitoneal dose of 5-FU and groups were killed at days 1 and 2 (acute timepoint), days 4 and 8 (subacute timepoint), and days 16 and 32 (chronic timepoint). A further six mice were administered with vehicle control with tissues collected from three mice on day 1 and day 32 of the study. The expression of key genes of interest, BCL2, BDNF, TIMP1, MMP-9, MMP-2, TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6R were assessed using real time polymerase chain reaction. Levels of neurogenesis were determined through immunofluorescent staining of doublecortin (DCX). The density of microglia and astrocytes were assessed using immunofluorescence staining of Iba1 and GFAP respectively. 5-FU treatment caused significant decreases to DCX staining at acute timepoints (p = 0.0030) which was positively correlated with BCL2 expression levels. An increase to microglial density was observed in the prefrontal cortex (p = 0.0256), CA3 region (p = 0.0283), and dentate gyrus (p = 0.0052) of the hippocampus at acute timepoints. 5-FU caused increases to astrocyte density, across multiple brains regions, at subacute and chronic timepoints which were positively correlated with TNFα, TIMP-1, MMP-2, and IL-6R expression. This study has identified acute objective neuroinflammatory changes suggesting that the role of early intervention should be explored to prevent the development of neuropsychological deficits in the longer-term following chemotherapy.

Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Adult Cancer Patients on Treatments at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Oncology Unit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer frequently reported sleep problems during their treatments which can affect their sleep quality have an impact on patients' quality of life (QOL).

OBJECTIVE

to assess the prevalence of sleep quality and associated factors in adult cancer patients on treatment in the Oncology unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021.

METHODS

institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used and data was collected by using face-to-face structured interview questionnaires from March 1 to April 1, 2021. Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) consisted of 19 items, the social support scale (OSS-3) consisted of 3 items, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) consisted of 14 items were applied. Logistic regression including bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to examine the association between dependent and independent variables, and P< 0.05 was considered the level of significance for associations.

RESULTS

A total of 264 sampled adult cancer patients on treatments were included in this study, with a response rate of 93.61%. About 26.5% of the participants' age distribution was between 40 to 49 years, and 68.6% were female. 59.8% of the study participants were married. Concerning education, about 48.9% of participants attended primary and secondary school and 45% of participants were unemployed. Overall, 53.79% of individuals had poor sleep quality. Low income ((AOR=5.36 CI 95% (2.23, 12.90), fatigue (AOR=2.89 CI 95(1.32, 6.33), pain (AOR 3.82 C I95 % (1.84, 7.93), poor of social support (AOR =3.20 CI 95% (1.43, 6.74), anxiety (AOR=3.48 CI 95% (1.44, 8.38) and depression (AOR 2.87 CI 95 % (1.05-7.391) were all associated with poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a high prevalence of poor sleep quality, which was significantly associated with factors like low income, fatigue, pain, poor social support, anxiety, and depression among cancer patients on treatments.

Patient Willingness to Use Digital Health Technologies: A Quantitative and Qualitative Survey in Patients with Cancer Cachexia

Purpose

The objective of this study was to gain insights into the patients' perspectives on the impact of cancer cachexia on physical activity and their willingness to wear digital health technology (DHT) devices in clinical trials.

Patients and Methods

We administered a quantitative 20-minute online survey on aspects of physical activity (on a 0-100 scale) to 50 patients with cancer cachexia recruited through Rare Patient Voice, LLC. A subset of 10 patients took part in qualitative 45-minute web-based interviews with a demonstration of DHT devices. Survey questions related to the impact of weight loss (a key characteristic in Fearon's cachexia definition) on physical activity, patients' expectations regarding desired improvements and their level of meaningful activities, as well as preferences for DHT.

Results

Seventy-eight percent of patients reported that their physical activity was impacted by cachexia, and for 77% of them, such impact was consistent over time. Patients perceived most impact of weight loss on walking distance, time and speed, and on level of activity during the day. Sleep, activity level, walking quality and distance were identified as the most meaningful activities to improve. Patients would like to see a moderate improvement of activity levels and consider it meaningful to perform physical activity of moderate intensity (eg, walk at normal pace) on a regular basis. The wrist was the preferred location for wearing a DHT device, followed by arm, ankle, and waist.

Conclusion

Most patients reported physical activity limitations since the occurrence of weight loss compatible with cancer-associated cachexia. Walking distance, sleep and quality of walk were the most meaningful activities to moderately improve, and patients consider moderate physical activity as meaningful. Finally, this study population found the proposed wear of DHT devices on the wrist and around the waist acceptable for the duration of clinical studies.

Sleep disturbance is associated with perturbations in immune-inflammatory pathways in oncology outpatients undergoing chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance is a common problem in patients receiving chemotherapy. Purpose was to evaluate for perturbations in immune-inflammatory pathways between oncology patients with low versus very high levels of sleep disturbance.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Sleep disturbance was evaluated using the General Sleep Disturbance Scale six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct sleep disturbance profiles. Pathway impact analyses were performed in two independent samples using gene expression data obtained from RNA sequencing (n = 198) and microarray (n = 162) technologies. Fisher's combined probability test was used to identify significantly perturbed pathways between Low versus Very High sleep disturbance classes.

RESULTS

In the RNA sequencing and microarray samples, 59.1% and 51.9% of patients were in the Very High sleep disturbance class, respectively. Thirteen perturbed pathways were related to immune-inflammatory mechanisms (i.e., endocytosis, phagosome, antigen processing and presentation, natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, apoptosis, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor signaling, Th17 cell differentiation, intestinal immune network for immunoglobulin A production, T-cell receptor signaling, complement and coagulation cascades, and tumor necrosis factor signaling).

CONCLUSIONS

First study to identify perturbations in immune-inflammatory pathways associated with very high levels of sleep disturbance in oncology outpatients. Findings suggest that complex immune-inflammatory interactions underlie sleep disturbance.

Distinct sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction profiles in oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Sleep disturbance and cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) are two of the most common symptoms reported by patients undergoing chemotherapy. Less is known about how these symptoms co-occur and their associated risk factors. Study purposes were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct sleep disturbance and CRCI profiles and evaluate for differences among the subgroups in demographic and clinical characteristics, symptom severity scores, and QOL outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 1,333 oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy completed self-report questionnaires on sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct sleep disturbance AND cognitive dysfunction profiles. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to evaluate for differences among the classes.

RESULTS

Two distinct profiles were identified (i.e., Low = low levels of both sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction (53.5%); High = high levels of both sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction (45.5%)). Patients in the High class were younger, more likely to be female, had a lower functional status and a higher level of comorbidity. In addition, these patients had a higher symptom burden and a lower quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Almost half of the patients undergoing chemotherapy experienced clinically meaningful levels of both symptoms. Of note, sleep disturbance is frequently overlooked by both clinicians and patients. Clinicians need to recommend cognitive rehabilitation and physical activity programs to decrease patients' symptom burden.

Insomnia as an Unmet Need in Chronic Hematologic Cancer Patients: A study design of a randomized controlled trial evaluating a consumer-based meditation app for treatment of sleep disturbance (Preprint)

Background

To address the need for long-term, accessible, nonpharmacologic interventions targeting sleep in patients with chronic hematological cancer, we propose the first randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of a consumer-based mobile meditation app, Calm, on sleep disturbance in this population.

Objective

This study aims to test the efficacy of daily meditation delivered via Calm compared with a health education podcast control group in improving the primary outcome of self-reported sleep disturbance, as well as secondary sleep outcomes, including sleep impairment and sleep efficiency; test the efficacy of daily meditation delivered via Calm compared with a health education podcast control group on inflammatory markers, fatigue, and emotional distress; and explore free-living use during a 12-week follow-up period and the sustained effects of Calm in patients with chronic hematological cancer.

Methods

In a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, we will recruit 276 patients with chronic hematological cancer to an 8-week app-based wellness intervention—the active, daily, app-based meditation intervention or the health education podcast app control group, followed by a 12-week follow-up period. Participants will be asked to use their assigned app for at least 10 minutes per day during the 8-week intervention period; complete web-based surveys assessing self-reported sleep disturbance, fatigue, and emotional distress at baseline, 8 weeks, and 20 weeks; complete sleep diaries and wear an actigraphy device during the 8-week intervention period and at 20 weeks; and complete blood draws to assess inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and C-reactive protein) at baseline, 8 weeks, and 20 weeks.

Results

This project was funded by the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute (R01CA262041). The projects began in April 2022, and study recruitment is scheduled to begin in October 2022, with a total project duration of 5 years. We anticipate that we will be able to achieve our enrollment goal of 276 patients with chronic hematological cancers within the allotted project time frame.

Conclusions

This research will contribute to broader public health efforts by providing researchers and clinicians with an evidence-based commercial product to improve sleep in the long term in an underserved and understudied cancer population with a high incidence of sleep disturbance.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05294991; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05294991

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/39007