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)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Key points | 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.
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 18
- Efficacy of a Cognitive‐Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and Nightmares in Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans With PTSD Journal of Clinical Psychology April 29, 2013
- A combined group treatment for nightmares and insomnia in combat veterans: A pilot study Journal of Traumatic Stress November 11, 2009
- Psychosocial treatments for nightmares in adults and children: a systematic review BMC Psychiatry April 21, 2023
- Nightmare Rescripting: Using Imagery Techniques to Treat Sleep Disturbances in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Frontiers in Psychiatry April 4, 2022
- The Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies for Nightmares and Prazosin on the Reduction of Post-Traumatic Nightmares, Sleep, and PTSD Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis of Randomized and Non‐Randomized Studies InTech eBooks November 2, 2016
and 13 more in the library
Cites 6
- Exposure, relaxation, and rescripting treatment for trauma-related nighmares. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation 2006
- Imagery rehearsal in the treatment of posttraumatic nightmares in Australian veterans with chronic combat-related PTSD: 12-month follow-up data. Journal of Traumatic Stress October 1, 2003
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA August 1, 2001
- Treatment of combat‐related nightmares using imagery rehearsal: A pilot study Journal of Traumatic Stress April 1, 2001
- A controlled study of imagery rehearsal for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with PTSD: a preliminary report. Journal of Traumatic Stress October 1, 2000
and 1 more in the library