Comparison of autonomic reactivity to trauma and nightmare imagery: A Pilot Study
SLEEP Advances January 1, 2024 Christopher M. McGrory, Augustus Kram Mendelsohn, Suzanne L. Pineles et al. 2 citations
Trauma-related nightmares (TRNs) elicit psychophysiological responses similar to those triggered by recalling the original traumatic event. In a pilot study of 17 trauma-exposed participants with clinical or sub-clinical PTSD who reported frequent TRNs, heart rate, skin conductance, and facial muscle activity did not differ significantly between recollections of the index trauma and the most trauma-like nightmare. Bayesian analyses supported the null hypothesis of no difference. Emotional ratings were also largely equivalent, except that sadness was lower for nightmare recollections. These findings suggest TRNs might be as effective a target as the trauma memory itself for imaginal exposure therapy, pending replication.