Research / Clinical Summary

Sonia Ancoli-Israel, PhD Professor IR, Psychiatry Cancer Symptom Control Program Contact by Email

Dr. Ancoli-Israel, in collaboration with Dr. Joel Dimsdale, Barbara A. Parker, Georgia R. Sadler, Paul Mills and Barton Palmer) has been studying the relationship between sleep, fatigue and cancer since 1999. Fatigue is described as a major complaint in patients undergoing chemotherapy, yet it was unknown whether the fatigue has any relationship to the quality or quantity of sleep or to the sleep/wake circadian rhythm cycle. The results of earlier studies suggested that poor sleep is a major component of fatigue. Results also suggested that women with breast cancer are exposed to little bright light and that less light is associated with more fatigue. Current studies are examining the effect of bright light treatment on fatigue, mood and sleep in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

In addition to fatigue, women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy also complain of some cognitive dysfunction. Dr. Ancoli-Israel and her collaborators are examining whether the poor sleep and fatigue might also contribute to cognitive problems. For both studies, women newly diagnosed with breast cancer are studied before the start the chemotherapy, during chemotherapy and after the end of chemotherapy. These studies will help inform us about the relationships between poor sleep, fatigue and cognition and will lead to new research on treatment for these problems.

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