Health-related quality of life and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors in an insomnia intervention: a randomized controlled trial

Background: While brief behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBTI) has shown promising results in improving sleep outcomes, its effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health among cancer survivors have been understudied. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of BBTI on HRQOL and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors, relative to an attention control group receiving a healthy eating program (HEP), over periods from baseline to 12 months and from 3 to 12 months. Methods: A sample of 132 cancer survivors with insomnia symptoms (M_age: 63.7 ± 10 years; 55.3% female) was assessed at baseline, with the final analytical sample of 121 (BBTI = 62, HEP = 59). Self-reported HRQOL, mood disturbance, depression, and anxiety at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months were examined. A multivariate linear model using least squares means evaluated within- and between-group differences. Results: No significant differences in outcome variables were found between the randomized groups at any time point. Both groups showed significant improvements in total HRQOL, mood disturbance, and anxiety symptoms from baseline to 12 months. Only the BBTI group demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms within the group, an effect not observed in the HEP group. The most noticeable changes occurred within the first 3 months, with no statistically significant differences from 3 to 12 months within or between groups. Conclusion: While both randomized groups showed improvements in total HRQOL, mood, and anxiety symptoms, only BBTI produced significant within-group improvements in depressive symptoms over 12 months.