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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and Imagery Rehearsal in Combat Veterans with Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress: A Case Series.

Todd M Bishop, Peter C Britton, Kerry L Knox, Wilfred R Pigeon

Military behavioral health 2016 DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2015.1100564 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case-series Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 14
Population Combat veterans diagnosed with insomnia and experiencing posttraumatic stress and/or depression
Interventions cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia imagery rehearsal therapy
Keywords Behavioral treatment Combat veterans Insomnia Nightmares Sleep
Key findings Combined CBT-I and IRT led to clinically significant sleep improvements and statistically significant reductions in insomnia, nightmare, depression, and posttraumatic stress severity.

Abstract

Disrupted sleep is common among combat veterans and can negatively impact response to mental health treatments. A trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) for nightmares was conducted with 14 combat veterans diagnosed with insomnia, and who were experiencing posttraumatic stress and/or depression. In the case-series that follows veterans experienced clinically significant changes in sleep, and statistically significant reductions in insomnia, nightmare, depression and posttraumatic stress severity following treatment. Combined CBT-I and IRT is a promising treatment for patients with combat-related trauma and psychiatric morbidity.