Imagery rehearsal therapy for posttraumatic nightmares in U.S. veterans.
Mary Lu, Amy Wagner, Lynn Van Male, Ashlee Whitehead, James Boehnlein
Journal of Traumatic Stress June 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1002/jts.20407 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractImagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) may help reduce residual nightmares and PTSD symptoms in male U.S. veterans who had not previously completed trauma-focused PTSD treatment. Fifteen veterans attended 6 IRT group sessions. No benefits were seen immediately after treatment, but at 3- and 6-month follow-up, trauma-related nightmare frequency decreased from baseline. At 3 months, the number of trauma-related nightmares per week, total nightmares per week, and PTSD symptoms also decreased. Nightmare severity and fear of sleep improved over time. No effects were found on the impact of nightmares, sleep quality, or depression.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Male U.S. veterans with PTSD and trauma-related nightmares who had not previously completed trauma-focused PTSD treatment |
| Intervention | Imagery rehearsal therapy |
| Duration | 6 IRT group sessions, with 3- and 6-month follow-up |
| Key finding | Imagery rehearsal therapy led to reductions in nightmare frequency and PTSD symptoms at 3- and 6-month follow-up, though no immediate posttreatment benefits were observed. |
Abstract
Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) may help reduce residual nightmares and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in veterans after trauma-focused PTSD treatment. Fifteen male U.S. veterans with PTSD and trauma-related nightmares, who had not previously completed trauma-focused PTSD treatment, attended 6 IRT group sessions. No benefits were observed immediately posttreatment. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, however, trauma-related nightmare frequency (nights/week) decreased (p < .01). The number of trauma-related nightmares/week (p < .01), number of total nightmares/week (p < .05), and PTSD symptoms (p < .05) also decreased at 3 months. The overall F test for time was significant (p < .05) for nightmare severity and fear of sleep. No effects were found on measures of the impact of nightmares, sleep quality, or depression. Clinical and research implications are discussed.