Publications by authors named "Sheila Garland"

Study Objectives: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in cancer survivors. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can improve fatigue, but mechanisms are unclear. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluated whether CBT-I led to a significant improvement in fatigue, accounting for change in comorbid symptoms of insomnia, perceived cognitive impairment (PCI), anxiety, and depression.

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Purpose: Individuals diagnosed with cancer experience multiple inter-related short- and long-term side effects. Chief among such symptomology is cancer-related fatigue (CRF), which, if left unmanaged, can become chronic and result in increased disability and healthcare utilization. A growing number of self-report scales have been developed to measure CRF symptoms based on various theoretical conceptualizations with the aim of promoting targeted assessment and intervention efforts.

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Context: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a critical regulator of circadian rhythm in humans. Impaired sleep adversely affects metabolic, emotional, and cognitive health.

Objective: To characterize sleep disturbances in patients with active and treated Cushing's syndrome (CS), and identify factors associated with impaired sleep in treated patients.

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Purpose: Cancer survivors are increasingly using wearable fitness trackers, but it is unclear if they match traditional self-reported sleep diaries. We aimed to compare sleep data from Fitbit and the Consensus Sleep Diary (CSD) in this group.

Methods: We analyzed data from two randomized clinical trials, using both CSD and Fitbit to collect sleep outcomes: total sleep time (TST), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), number of awakenings (NWAK), time in bed (TIB), and sleep efficiency (SE).

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Background: Racial disparities in sleep are well-documented. However, evidence-based options for addressing these disparities are lacking in cancer populations. To inform future research on sleep interventions, this study aims to understand racial differences in treatment responses to acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) among Black and White cancer survivors.

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Objectives: Poor sleep is a common side effect of cancer. Cannabis is increasingly used to manage cancer treatment-related symptoms, including sleep. This study investigated factors related to cannabis use for sleep among Canadian cancer survivors.

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Adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 15-39 years) diagnosed with cancer have unique medical and psychosocial needs. These needs could be better addressed through research that is focused on the topics that matter most to them. However, there is currently no patient-oriented research agenda for AYA cancer in Canada.

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Purpose: To update the ASCO guideline on the management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in adult survivors of cancer.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of medical oncology, geriatric oncology, internal medicine, psychology, psychiatry, exercise oncology, integrative medicine, behavioral oncology, nursing, and advocacy experts was convened. Guideline development involved a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2013-2023.

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The psychosocial outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer are poorer compared to their peers without cancer. However, AYAs with cancer from diverse racial and ethnic groups have been under-represented in research, which contributes to an incomplete understanding of the psychosocial outcomes of all AYAs with cancer. This paper evaluated the racial and ethnic representation in research on AYAs diagnosed with cancer using observational, cross-sectional data from the large Young Adults with Cancer in Their Prime (YACPRIME) study.

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Purpose: Comorbid insomnia and cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) are experienced by up to 26% of individuals diagnosed with cancer. This study examined the efficacy and durability of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on perceived CRCI in cancer survivors.

Methods: Atlantic Canadian cancer survivors with insomnia and CRCI were randomly assigned to receive seven weekly virtual CBT-I sessions (n = 63) or placed in a waitlist control group (n = 69) to receive treatment after the waiting period.

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Objective: For young adults (YAs) with cancer, connecting with peer cancer survivors can provide a unique sense of community and may enhance post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the relationship between connectedness to the YA cancer community and PTG among YAs, independent of overall social support.

Methods: Data were obtained from the young adults with cancer in their prime study, a cross-Canada survey of YA cancer survivors.

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Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Canadian women. Survivorship challenges include fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairment. This study examined (1) symptom trajectory from diagnosis to 3 years; (2) whether symptom change in the first 4 months was associated with prolonged difficulties after 3 years; and (3) which factors were associated with deterioration in symptoms during the first 4 months.

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A greater understanding of how young people cope with a cancer diagnosis is needed in order to inform age-appropriate supportive care. This paper describes the coping strategies used and explores relationships between coping strategies and personal, medical, and psychological variables among young adults (YAs) diagnosed with cancer. YAs ( = 547, mean age = 34.

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Objectives: Insomnia symptoms are common among medical students. This study explored the perspectives of medical students about which sleep management strategies to use.

Methods: Medical students responded to an online survey on their thoughts about the use of various sleep management strategies.

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Introduction: Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer (AYAs) are under-represented in research. The Internet and social media could increase the reach of recruitment efforts but may impact sample characteristics. This study evaluated the characteristics of AYAs recruited in-person at an urban hospital versus the Internet in terms of their sociodemographic and medical characteristics, and psychosocial wellbeing, and offers recommendation for increasing the inclusivity and representativeness of research samples.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cancer survivors frequently use wearable fitness trackers like Fitbit, but their accuracy compared to traditional sleep diaries (CSD) is uncertain.
  • A study analyzed sleep data from 62 cancer survivors, revealing that Fitbit reported longer total sleep time and wake time after sleep onset, but fewer hours in bed compared to CSD.
  • The findings indicate that while TST was the only sleep measurement consistently matching both methods, Fitbit may not effectively distinguish different levels of insomnia severity compared to the CSD.
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Purpose: Poor sleep is one of the most common side effects of cancer. It can persist for years beyond treatment and negatively impact quality of life and health. Cannabis is increasingly used to manage cancer treatment-related symptoms, including sleep.

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Purpose: A cancer diagnosis in young adulthood can negatively impact sleep quality. The present study describes sleep issues in young adults (YAs) and analyzes potential demographic and clinical characteristics related to sleep quality.

Methods: Canadian YAs (n = 359) diagnosed with cancer between ages 15-39 participated in the study.

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Background: Aims were to: (1) compare social status among AYAs diagnosed with cancer to a community population; (2) describe AYAs' change in employment/education status; and (3) examine predictors of social status.

Method: Social status (i.e.

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Purpose: Geographic location plays a significant role in the health and wellbeing of those with cancer. This project explored the impact of rurality and social support on distress and quality of life in young adults (YAs) with cancer in Canada.

Methods: The current research analyzed data from the Young Adults with Cancer in Their Prime (YACPRIME) study.

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Cancer-related cognitive deficits (CRCDs) are common among young adults (YAs) (ages: 18-39) with cancer and can be debilitating. We aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual intervention among YAs with cancer. Our secondary aims were to explore the intervention's effect on cognitive functioning and psychological distress.

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Background: Fatigue is a troublesome symptom in cancer survivors that often results from disrupted sleep. We sought to assess whether two insomnia-focused non-pharmacological interventions are also effective for improving fatigue.

Methods: We analyzed data from a randomized clinical trial comparing cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) versus acupuncture for insomnia among cancer survivors.

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Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the main recommended treatment for patients presenting with insomnia; however, the treatment is not equally effective for all, and several factors can contribute to a diminished treatment response. The rationale for combining CBT-I treatment with acupuncture is explored, and evidence supporting its use in treating insomnia and related comorbidities is discussed. Practical, regulatory, and logistical issues with implementing a combined treatment are examined, and future directions for research are made.

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Background: Perceived deficits in executive functioning are among the many difficulties that women diagnosed with breast cancer experience. This study assessed the presence of perceived deficits in executive functioning among women with breast cancer prior to systemic treatment and radiation and associations between perceived deficits in executive function and comorbid fatigue, sleep, and mood disturbance.

Method: Participants were recruited following their breast cancer diagnosis and assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for Adults (BRIEF-A), subjective and objective measures of sleep duration and efficiency, and self-report measures of insomnia severity, sleep quality, fatigue, and mood disturbance.

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Purpose: Insomnia negatively affects quality of life in cancer survivors. Expectations of insomnia treatment efficacy may influence response to intervention. We sought to determine whether pre-treatment outcome expectancy predicts response to two non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia among cancer survivors.

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