Sleep therapy by video helped people with brain tumors sleep better
Original title: Nationally recruited telehealth group-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in patients with primary brain tumors: A randomized NIH ORBIT Phase IIc study.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was tested in people. That is the most reliable kind of research we share.
This was a small, early test in people, mostly to see if the study could be run.
The short version
In a small study, a sleep program given by video helped people with brain tumors sleep better.
What was studied. Adults with brain tumors and long lasting trouble sleeping took part. 60 were split at random to get 6 weekly group sessions by video, or their usual care.
What they found. Out of 84 people screened, 60 joined the study. 86% stayed with the video program, and 100% said their sleep got better. More people in the video group improved on trouble sleeping (61% vs 33%), tiredness (57% vs 35%), and sleep quality (74% vs 30%).
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Trouble sleeping can be treated without a new drug. The sessions were done by video, not in person. You can ask your care team about this kind of sleep therapy.
What it doesn't mean: This does not treat the tumor itself. It is not a cure. This was a small, early study. Its main goal was to see if the study could be run at all. The sleep results are early signs, not proof. The authors say bigger studies are still needed.
Source: PubMed, August 31, 2026 · Read the original
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