e-Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2021

AYA Can-Sleep: an evidence-based approach to the management of sleep difficulties in young cancer survivors (#392)

Emma Vaughan 1 , Maria Ftanou 1 , Kate Thompson 1 , Josh Wiley 2 , Jeremy Goldin 3 , Jeremy Lewin 1 , Martha Hickey 4 , Ilana Berger 1 , Steve Ellen 1 , Dani Bullen 1 , Oliver Holmes 1 , Michael Jefford 1 , Jeremy Stonehouse 3 , Jo Phipps-Nelson 1 , Tom Minogue 3 , Andrew Murnane 1
  1. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Institute of Cognitive and Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
  3. Sleep Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic , 3000
  4. Women’s Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne , VIC , 3000

Background and Aims

Sleep problems are common among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (1-3). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for insomnia is considered gold standard treatment (4). Stepped care interventions developed for adults have been shown to improve the accessibility to CBT for treatment of sleep difficulties (5). This study aims to develop, implement and assess the impact of the first known stepped care program to treat sleep difficulties in AYA cancer survivors.

Methods

Over a 15-week period, 80 AYA cancer survivors will be screened using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Where sleep difficulties are identified, AYA cancer survivors will complete further screening for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and restless legs syndrome (RLSS). Those with high scores will be referred for investigation and management at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Sleep Medicine Service. All others will be offered a stepped care program incorporating CBT self-management and coaching. AYA cancer survivors will be re-screened at 5 weeks and those with ongoing sleep difficulties offered individualised CBT. AYA cancer survivors and clinicians will complete evaluation surveys to assess the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of the AYA Can-Sleep Program.

Results

The rate and type of sleep difficulties experienced by AYA cancer survivors will be presented alongside demographic details of age, sex, diagnosis and treatment received. Preliminary data of referrals made in to each of the interventions will also be discussed.

Conclusion

We seek to better understand areas of success, identify areas for improvement and contribute to the evidence-base regarding screening and treating of sleep difficulties in the AYA cancer survivor population.

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