Adaptation of imagery rehearsal therapy for nightmares in children: A brief report.
Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.) December 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1037/a0017945 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA psychotherapeutic treatment for nightmares, adapted from imagery rehearsal therapy for 6- to 11-year-old children, was tested with ten child-mother dyads over three sessions and eight weeks. Participation, which included contact with a clinician and keeping a prospective dream log, was associated with decreases in unpleasant dreams frequency, nightmare distress, and manifest anxiety. Providing educational information about nightmares contributed to this positive effect. Drawing modified versions of nightmares for one month was associated with further reductions in nightmare distress and anxiety but not with changes in unpleasant dreams frequency. Follow-ups at three and six months posttreatment suggest maintained effects.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | 6- to 11-year-old children and their mothers (child-mother dyads) |
| Interventions | educational information about nightmares drawing modified versions of nightmares |
| Duration | 3-session, 8-week treatment protocol; follow-ups at 3 and 6 months posttreatment |
| Key finding | The adapted imagery rehearsal therapy, including drawing modified nightmares, reduced nightmare distress and anxiety but not unpleasant dreams frequency. |
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of a psychotherapeutic treatment for nightmares that was adapted for 6- to 11-year-old children from imagery rehearsal therapy. Ten child-mother dyads took part in a 3-session, 8-week treatment protocol. Participation in the study (contact with clinician, keeping a prospective dream log) was associated with decreases unpleasant dreams frequency, nightmare distress, and manifest anxiety. Providing educational information about nightmares did contribute to this positive effect. Results also suggest that drawing modified versions of nightmares for 1 month was associated with further reductions in nightmare distress and anxiety, but with no changes in unpleasant dreams frequency. Follow-ups at 3 and 6 months posttreatment suggest that the intervention had maintained effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).