P18 The INVEST trial the feasibility, acceptability, and early efficacy of sleep restriction therapy for acute insomnia in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients

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Mclaren, Declan M and Kyle, Simon and Boyd, Kathleen and Mansell, James and Elsberger, Beatrix and Young, David and Fleming, Leanne (2026) P18 The INVEST trial the feasibility, acceptability, and early efficacy of sleep restriction therapy for acute insomnia in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 13 (Suppl ). A27.2-A27. (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2026-bss.43)

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Abstract

Insomnia – broadly characterised by difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep which cause daytime impairment – is common following a cancer diagnosis. Acute insomnia (i.e., insomnia symptoms for less than three months) affects up to 50% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and may persist throughout treatment and recovery. While sleep restriction therapy (SRT) is known to be effective and tolerable to chronic insomnia in breast cancer survivors, its feasibility and efficacy have yet to be investigated for acute insomnia throughout active cancer treatment. This study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of healthcare practitioner-delivered SRT for acute insomnia in people recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Fifty participants meeting criteria for acute insomnia will be recruited from various NHS boards and Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey services throughout Scotland. Participants will be block randomised (1:1) to receive either SRT – delivered over four sessions (two face to face, and two via telephone) – or sleep hygiene education provided in booklet form. A mixed-methods process evaluation will be conducted post-intervention. Primary outcomes will assess feasibility, focusing on: (i) recruitment and retention, (ii) intervention fidelity, (iii) data collection procedures and measure completion, and (iv) intervention acceptability. Secondary outcomes will explore the effects of SRT on sleep and symptoms of insomnia, rest-activity rhythms, and mental health. This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of SRT for acute insomnia during active treatment for breast cancer. Findings will offer insight into clinical and logistical barriers to integrating and implementing SRT within existing clinical services, of training healthcare practitioners to deliver behavioural treatments for sleep, and of the acceptability of SRT to recently diagnosed breast cancer patients throughout active cancer treatment. Results will inform future definitive trials and strategies for scaling behavioural sleep interventions in oncological populations and settings.

ORCID iDs

Mclaren, Declan M ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7578-1698, Kyle, Simon, Boyd, Kathleen, Mansell, James, Elsberger, Beatrix, Young, David ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3652-0513 and Fleming, Leanne ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6197-9214;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)