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A digital therapy app is proving to be a game-changer for cancer patients struggling with sleep. In a Phase 3 trial, over 60% of women with cancer who completed the Sleepio app's 6-week CBT program achieved insomnia remission at 24 weeks — far outpacing standard sleep education. Bonus: it also improved hot flashes, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
Between 30% and 60% of women with cancer experience insomnia, yet it remains widely undertreated. A new Phase 3 randomized trial presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress is changing that narrative — with a smartphone app. The Sleepio After Cancer (SAC) trial tested the Sleepio app, a digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tool, against standard sleep hygiene education in 308 women with cancer (61% breast, 29% gynecologic; median age 52).
Results were striking: participants in the Sleepio arm showed significantly greater improvements in sleep scores and were far more likely to achieve insomnia remission — 62% vs. 19% among those who completed the 24-week assessment. Secondary benefits included meaningful improvements in fatigue, depression, anxiety, and even hot flashes, with effect sizes ranging from 0.48 to 0.77.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Insomnia in cancer patients is common but often overlooked. A scalable, guideline-backed digital tool that also tackles fatigue, mood, and menopause symptoms could meaningfully improve quality of life — especially for patients who lack access to in-person CBT.
