Combined Program of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and Medication Tapering in Cancer Patients: A Clinic-Based Pilot Study

ABSTRACTObjective: This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a combined program of group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and medication tapering for reducing hypnotic use in cancer patients and to identify predictors of medication continuation. Participants: This study has a retrospective design and uses archival data from patient’s medical records. Forty cancer patients with chronic insomnia received clinic- and group-based CBT-I alongside a medication tapering program. Methods: Clinical outcomes were collected from 32 patients who completed a six-week program, via their medical records. Medication dosages, Insomnia Severity Index scores, scores on the Korean version of the 16-item Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep scale, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised inventory scores, and sleep efficiency were measured pre- and posttreatment and at a follow-up after one month. Results: At posttreatment, 68.8% of patients were drug-free and 25.0% were taking hypnotic me...