Nightmare Rescripting: Using Imagery Techniques to Treat Sleep Disturbances in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Marzia Albanese, Marianna Liotti, Lucia Cornacchia, Francesco Mancini
Frontiers in Psychiatry April 4, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.866144 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Imagery Rehearsal Therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Dreaming PTSD |
| Keywords | Distressing Clinical psychology Guided imagery Population Psychological intervention Psychotherapist Sleep disorder Cognition |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | Imagery Rehearsal Therapy is the best empirically supported technique for treating traumatic sleep disturbances, including nightmares in PTSD. |
Abstract
Besides affecting 8% of the general population, nightmares are one of the most frequent symptoms of traumatized individuals. This can be a significant factor in the treatment of post-traumatic disorders; indeed, several studies demonstrated its strong predictive and prognostic value. Sleep disorders, nightmares in particular, could be very distressing for individuals and need targeted interventions, especially if they are associated with a PTSD diagnosis. To date, the best technique for the treatment of traumatic sleep disturbances seems to be Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), an empirically supported method. Through a review of the literature on this matter, this article aims to outline the incidence and consequences of nightmares in PTSD, illustrate how IRT could prove useful in their treatment, and investigate its clinical applications.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic Psychiatry's Brave New World. | 2020 | Review | |
| Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD | 2020 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms? | 2018 | Review | |
| Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. | 2016 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Understanding and Treating Nightmares: A Comprehensive Review of Psychosocial Strategies for Adults and Children. Cureus September 1, 2024
- The long wave of COVID-19: a case report using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy for COVID-19-related nightmares after admission to intensive care unit. Frontiers in Psychology May 18, 2023
Cites 21
- Long-term effects of extreme situational stress on sleep and dreaming American Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 1987
- Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Dreaming December 1, 2004
- Treating Chronic Nightmares of Sexual Assault Survivors with an Intellectual Disability – Two Descriptive Case Studies Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities February 2, 2006
- Mediators of Change in Imagery Rescripting and Imaginal Exposure for Nightmares: Evidence From a Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy September 1, 2019
- Efficacy of Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Sexual Assault Victims With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Traumatic Stress August 1, 2018
and 16 more in the library