Introducing iCANSleep
iCANSleep is a mobile app designed to help cancer survivors manage insomnia—an issue that often persists long after treatment ends. Unlike generic sleep apps, iCANSleep was created as part of a large-scale research project, ensuring clinical relevance, usability, and evidence-based interventions. Recently, the app was recognized in JMIR Cancer and indexed on PubMed, establishing its credibility as a validated digital health solution.
This article explains how Dr. Sheila Garland, a leading researcher in cancer survivorship and sleep health, partnered with Sidekick Interactive to build iCANSleep, why this collaboration mattered, and what lessons it offers to research teams developing custom mental health software.
Why insomnia is a critical issue for cancer survivors
Many cancer survivors continue to struggle with sleep disturbances long after their treatment has ended. Poor sleep doesn’t just impact rest—it affects recovery, quality of life, and overall mental health.
Dr. Garland needed a partner capable of turning rigorous scientific protocols into a secure, scalable, and patient-friendly mobile solution.
Why Dr. Sheila Garland chose Sidekick Interactive
Dr. Garland was looking for more than a developer—she needed a collaborator who could:
- Translate research protocols into functional app features without compromising scientific integrity.
- Build robust and compliant health apps aligned with healthcare privacy and security standards.
- Support a co-creation process with patients, researchers, and stakeholders.
- Deliver a scalable architecture ready for a nationwide study.
Sidekick Interactive stood out thanks to its extensive experience in mental health and research-driven mobile apps. With a team combining senior software engineers and UX specialists, Sidekick was uniquely positioned to deliver a product that was both technically reliable and designed around patient needs.
How Sidekick partnered in the iCANSleep project
The initiative for iCANSleep came from Dr. Garland, but the app took shape through true co-creation. Sidekick worked hand-in-hand with Dr. Garland, patients, and stakeholders to bring her research vision to life.
This partnership included:
- Defining the digital product vision in alignment with the research objectives.
- Translating the scientific study design into app features and workflows.
- Running iterative design cycles with continuous feedback from patients and researchers.
- Ensuring the app met both usability goals and rigorous research requirements.
By combining Dr. Garland’s scientific expertise with Sidekick’s technical know-how, the project achieved a balance between clinical rigor and practical usability.
How was iCANSleep developed?
Sidekick Interactive delivered the technical foundation of iCANSleep, focusing on compliance, scalability, and patient experience:
- Evidence-based interventions: Digital tools designed around improving sleep quality for cancer survivors.
- Real-time data collection: Accurate, secure tracking of sleep patterns and treatment outcomes for researchers.
- Patient-centered design: Features co-created with end-users and stakeholders to ensure usability and adoption.
- Compliance and security: Full alignment with privacy regulations and healthcare standards.
- Scalable architecture: Supporting a nationwide study across Canada.
What impact has iCANSleep had?
iCANSleep is more than a mobile app—it’s a validated research intervention. Its recognition in JMIR Cancer and indexing on PubMed underline its scientific credibility. For cancer survivors, it provides a tailored tool to manage insomnia. For researchers, it demonstrates that digital health apps can support large-scale, evidence-based studies while remaining patient-friendly.
Key takeaways for researchers and institutions
- Research comes first: A strong scientific foundation, led by experts like Dr. Garland, is essential.
- Choose the right partner: A development team that understands healthcare compliance and patient-centered design is critical.
- Co-creation ensures adoption: Engaging patients, researchers, and stakeholders throughout development drives usability and impact.
- Scalability supports research: Robust technical foundations allow studies to grow and adapt over time.
Why Sidekick Interactive is the right partner for research apps
iCANSleep shows what’s possible when world-class research meets expert app development. Sidekick Interactive specializes in building research-driven mobile apps that are compliant, secure, and designed for real-world use.
For research teams and institutions seeking to translate their scientific protocols into digital tools, Sidekick Interactive offers the expertise to deliver impactful, patient-centered software—while ensuring scientific integrity is preserved.