Working with dreams and nightmares: A review of the research evidence.
Patricia T. Spangler, Wonjin Sim
Psychotherapy April 27, 2023 DOI: 10.1037/pst0000484 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 514 |
| Population | Clients in psychotherapy studies of dreamwork and nightmare treatment |
| Interventions | Cognitive-experiential dream model Imagery rehearsal therapy Exposure relaxation and rescripting therapy |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Humans Dreams Psychotherapy |
| Key findings | An original meta-analysis of eight cognitive-experiential dream model studies (514 clients) showed moderate effect sizes for session depth and insight gains. A prior meta-analysis of 13 nightmare treatment studies (511 clients) found moderate to large reductions in nightmare frequency and small to moderate reductions in sleep disturbance for imagery rehearsal therapy and exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy. |
Abstract
In this article, we describe methods for working with dreams and nightmares in individual psychotherapy, provide clinical examples, and review research evidence of immediate and distal outcomes of each method. An original meta-analysis of eight studies using the cognitive-experiential dream model with 514 clients showed moderate effect sizes for session depth and insight gains. In the nightmare treatment literature, a previous meta-analysis of 13 studies with 511 clients showed moderate to large effects in reducing nightmare frequency and small to moderate effects in decreasing sleep disturbance for imagery rehearsal therapy and exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy. Limitations of the current meta-analysis of cognitive-experiential dreamwork and of the reviewed research on nightmare methods are described. Training implications and therapeutic practice recommendations are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dreaming as mind wandering: evidence from functional neuroimaging and first-person content reports. | 2013 | Systematic review with meta-analytic comparison | |
| Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research | 2016 | Meta-analysis | |
| The effectiveness of lucid dreaming therapy in patients with nightmares: A systematic review. Adults with chronic and recurring nightmares | 2023 | Systematic review | |
| The relationships between insomnia, nightmares, and dreams: A systematic review Individuals without a concomitant psychopathology, including those with insomnia or... | 2024 | Systematic review | |
| Psychosocial treatments for nightmares in adults and children: a systematic review | 2023 | Systematic review |