Sleep Difficulties in Cancer: A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

Sleep difficulties is a major concern in cancer. Sleep difficulties in cancer patients is multi factorial in nature and consists of physical, and psychosocial aspects. A comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon is needed but still this is largely a neglected area. Management of insomnia among cancer patients using Cognitive and behavioural approaches needs further examination. In this regard the authors of the present article highlighted the psychological aspects related to insomnia in cancer and reviewed relevant studies. Cognitive and behavioral strategies such as sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive therapy etc can be used for the management of insomnia in the context of cancer. Some of the important factors related to insomnia among cancer patients such as anxiety, depression, fatigue and quality of life can be improved by using above mentioned cognitive and behavior strategies. Besides the pharmacological intervention, more studies needs to be conducted emphasizing cognitive and behavioural techniques.