Bhuvan Pottepalem
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Mentor(s): Robert Knoerl
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences / Nursing
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Noel Arring
Presenter: 24
Abstract
Between 30% – 40% of cancer survivors suffer from insomnia after cancer treatment. Many of them need cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia with a therapist; however, these therapists are not widely available nor are there many trained in behavioral therapy for insomnia. The objective of this research study is to test to see if an app is a practical alternative to a therapist for post-treatment cancer patients who suffer from insomnia. The study is in its initial stages currently, and with a small sample of just 30 people. The primary aim of this study is to make sure the app functions well, and does what it is intended to do. Once the study moves into the next stages with a larger sample population, they will assess if cancer survivors receive health benefits from the app. The patients use the app for 5-15 minutes per day and by using actigraphys, their sleep parameters and sleep cycles are recorded. In conjunction with the data from the actigraphy, they also self-report how they feel, hoping for a correlation between the data and their self report. The results of the study have yet to be completed and collected, but the end goal of this research is to hopefully implement the app and market it to cancer surviving patients who suffer from insomnia who do not have access to a therapist trained in therapy for insomnia.
