Adaptation of imagery rehearsal therapy for nightmares in children: A brief report.
Psychotherapy December 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1037/a0017945 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active September 2016 |
| Key points | 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).
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A combined group treatment for nightmares and insomnia in combat veterans: A pilot study Combat veterans with PTSD | 2009 | Open clinical trial | n = 10 |
| Cognitions in Sleep: Lucid Dreaming as an Intervention for Nightmares in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | 2020 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Managing Insomnia Using Lucid Dreaming Training: A Pilot Study. Adults with Insomnia Disorder | 2021 | Open-label trial | n = 48 |
| Dream content and political ideology. U.S. adults who identified as members of the political right or political left (28 per... | 2002 | Pilot study | n = 56 |
| Imagery rehearsal therapy for the treatment of nightmares in individuals with borderline personality disorder – A pilot study Individuals with borderline personality disorder | 2024 | Between-subjects design, pilot study | n = 44 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Aetiology and treatment of nightmare disorder: State of the art and future perspectives Journal of Sleep Research January 29, 2019
- Psychosocial treatments for nightmares in adults and children: a systematic review BMC Psychiatry April 21, 2023
- Lucid dreaming in children: The UK library study ORCA Online Research @Cardiff 2012
- Nightmare Rescripting: Using Imagery Techniques to Treat Sleep Disturbances in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Frontiers in Psychiatry April 4, 2022
- Efficacy of a telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy for improving sleep and nightmares in children aged 6–17 Frontiers in Sleep July 11, 2024
and 12 more in the library
Cites 6
- Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Dreaming December 1, 2004
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for frequent nightmares in children. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2009
- Clinical management of chronic nightmares: imagery rehearsal therapy. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2006
- Impact of imagery rehearsal treatment on distressing dreams, psychological distress, and sleep parameters in nightmare patients. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2003
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA August 1, 2001
and 1 more in the library