Mindfulness Intervention for Blood Cancers

This trial tests a mindfulness program, Nite2Day+, designed to help individuals with blood cancers manage sleep problems, fatigue, stress, and pain during and after hospital treatment. Participants will either use a mobile app featuring mindfulness exercises and sleep tips or receive standard care. After hospital discharge, those in the mindfulness group will also participate in video sessions with a therapist to learn new strategies. Individuals with acute or recurring blood cancers who have experienced significant sleep issues and are undergoing at least a week of hospital treatment may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative strategies for improving quality of life during and after treatment.

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that all participants will continue to receive their usual medical care, which suggests you may not need to stop your current medications.

Research shows that mindfulness programs like Nite2Day+ are usually easy for people to handle. In past studies, mindfulness therapies have helped with sleep problems and symptoms like tiredness and stress without causing major side effects. These treatments use methods like meditation and sleep education, which are safe and non-invasive. While the Nite2Day+ program is still being tested, similar mindfulness programs have shown safety in other studies. Participants in these studies have experienced few, if any, negative effects while using these types of therapies.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the Nite2Day+ treatment because it provides a unique, holistic approach to improving sleep quality for blood cancer patients during their hospital stay. Unlike traditional medication-based treatments for insomnia, which often involve sedatives or sleep aids, Nite2Day+ utilizes a self-paced mobile app to deliver mindfulness-based interventions. This method includes meditations and sleep education specifically tailored for the inpatient setting, as well as a therapist-led Zoom protocol for continued support after discharge. By focusing on non-pharmacological strategies like mindfulness meditation and behavioral techniques, Nite2Day+ aims to enhance sleep without the side effects associated with traditional sleep medications.

Research has shown that mindfulness-based therapies, such as Nite2Day+, can improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms like tiredness, stress, and pain in individuals with blood-related cancers. In this trial, participants in the Nite2Day+ arm will engage in mindfulness practices that promote better sleep by teaching relaxation and coping strategies. Patients have experienced improvements in insomnia and related symptoms through mindfulness techniques. Early findings suggest that Nite2Day+ could effectively manage these symptoms by using methods like meditation and sleep education tailored for the hospital setting.¹²³⁴⁶