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 January 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2015.1100564 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDisrupted sleep is common among combat veterans and can worsen responses to mental health treatments. In a case-series trial, 14 combat veterans diagnosed with insomnia and experiencing posttraumatic stress or depression received cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) combined with imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) for nightmares. After treatment, veterans showed clinically significant improvements in sleep and statistically significant reductions in insomnia, nightmare, depression, and posttraumatic stress severity. Combined CBT-I and IRT appears to be a promising treatment for combat-related trauma and psychiatric morbidity.
Study at a glance
| 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 finding | 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.