February 21, 2026
Memorial University begins a national clinical trial of the iCANSleep app.
iCANSleep is an innovative and accessible smartphone application designed to help cancer survivors overcome insomnia through evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy. The research, led by Dr. Sheila Garland, professor in the Department of Psycho-Oncology at Memorial University, represents a major step forward in increasing access to specialized sleep treatment for cancer patients across Canada.
Up to 60 percent of cancer survivors experience sleep disturbances, but many do not have access to effective treatment options.
“Insomnia is one of the most common and distressing side effects experienced by people with cancer,” said Dr. Garland, a registered clinical psychologist and president of the Canadian Society of Psychosocial Oncology. “The iCANSleep app brings gold standard cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia directly to patients’ fingertips, eliminating barriers such as geography, cost and long wait times.”
This app provides personalized cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. This is a treatment proven to be more effective than medication for long-term sleep improvement.
The digital platform allows users to work through structured modules at their own pace, track their sleep patterns, and receive customized recommendations, all from their smartphone.
The national clinical trial will evaluate the app’s effectiveness in improving sleep quality, reducing daytime fatigue, and improving overall quality of life in cancer survivors.
Participants will use the app over several weeks, and researchers will monitor results and collect feedback to improve the technology.
Dr. Garland says digital health solutions like the iCANSleep app represent the future of supportive cancer care.
“By leveraging technology, we can reach more people in need and provide high-quality, evidence-based interventions when and where they are needed most,” she said.
Cancer survivors with insomnia across Canada are invited to participate.
Eligibility criteria and registration information are available.
The research was funded by the Canadian Cancer Society’s Emerging Scholars Award and was a collaboration between psychologists, oncologists, sleep medicine experts and digital health experts.