Sleep-wake disturbances are actual or perceived changes in night sleep with resulting daytime impairment. There are a number of demographic-, lifestyle-, environment-, disease-, and treatment-related factors that can increase the risk of sleeping problems in patients with cancer, including symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, and hot flashes. Sleep-wake disturbances have been reported in 30%–75% of people with cancer.
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This topic was updated on March 10, 2017.
Recommended for Practice
Likely to Be Effective
Effectiveness Not Established
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture/Electroacupuncture
- Body-Mind-Spirit Therapy/Qigong
- Bryophyllum pinnatum
- Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianesis)
- Cranial Stimulation
- EEG Biofeedback
- Expressive Writing/Emotional Disclosure/Journaling
- Footbath
- Ginseng
- Guarana (Paullinia cupana)
- Guided Imagery/Imagery
- Haptotherapy
- Healing Touch
- Kefir
- Massage/Aromatherapy Massage
- Meditation
- Melatonin
- Mirtazapine
- Modafinil/Armodafinil
- Multicomponent Rehabilitative Intervention
- Opioids--Interventions for Pain Management
- Palliative Care
- Paroxetine
- Pregabalin
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Guided Imagery
- Psychoeducation/Psychoeducational Interventions
- Quetiapine
- Relaxation and Visual Imagery
- Relaxation Therapy
- Stellate Ganglion Block
- Support Group
- Trazodone
- Valerian
- Venlafaxine
- Withania Somnifera
- Yoga
- Zolpidem
2017 Authors
Ann M. Berger, PhD, APRN, AOCNS®, FAAN, Grace Dean, RN, PhD, Jeanne M. Erickson, PhD, RN, AOCN®, Ellyn E. Matthews, PhD, RN, AOCNS®, CBSM, Julie L. Otte, PhD, RN, OCN®, Margaretta S. Page, RN, MS, and Catherine Vena, PhD, RN
ONS Staff: Margaret M. Irwin, PhD, RN, MN, Christine M. Maloney, BA, Kerri A. Moriarty, MLS, and Mark Vrabel, MLS, AHIP, ELS
2006–2016 Authors
Ann M. Berger, PhD, APRN, AOCNS®, FAAN, Grace Dean, RN, PhD, Genevieve Antoinette Desaulniers, BSN, RN, Jeanne M. Erickson, PhD, RN, AOCN®, Lauran B. Johnson, RN, MSN, Ellyn E. Matthews, PhD, RN, AOCNS®, CBSM, Julie L. Otte, PhD, RN, OCN®, Margaretta S. Page, RN, MS, and Catherine Vena, PhD, RN
ONS Staff: Linda H. Eaton, MN, RN, AOCN®, Margaret M. Irwin, PhD, RN, MN, Christine M. Maloney, BA, Kerri A. Moriarty, MLS, and Mark Vrabel, MLS, AHIP, ELS
