This study will investigate the effect of two psychosocial programs on insomnia symptoms inwomen with breast cancer. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teaches meditation and yoga and has shown promise for reducing sleep disturbance. MBSR will be compared to an already established treatment, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), to determine whether it produces similar effects with the added benefit of reduced stress and mood disturbance. Disrupted sleep can affect women in all stages of their cancer treatment and into survivorship, which can have a negative impact on overall quality of life. Establishing the degree of efficacy of both treatments will provide more options for patients and work towards the alleviation of a serious health risk.

Karen Fergus York University, Toronto, ON A multisite randomized controlled trial of couplelinks: the first online intervention for young women with breast cancer and their male partners $457,084

This study will assess the effectiveness of an innovative online course geared to the unique needs and concerns of young couples affected by breast cancer. The ultimate impact of the study will be the creation of an accessible, cost-effective tool that could help improve the quality of life of young couples coping with breast cancer, regardless of geographic location.

Joanne Stephen BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC A randomized controlled trial testing efficacy of professionally-led online support groups for young Canadian breast cancer survivors $582,995

In this study, researchers in several provinces will evaluate two online support group options (professionally-led and peer-led) to determine whether they help to improve the women's mood, feelings of loneliness, confidence and overall life satisfaction. It is hoped that these support groups will also help women re-engage in valued activities and commitments.

Source: CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION