Conquering nightmares on the phone: one-session counseling using imagery rehearsal therapy
Katharina Lüth, Judith Schmitt, Michael Schredl
Somnologie September 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s11818-021-00320-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study without control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Student group and sleep-laboratory patient group |
| Duration | 30-minute session plus 8-week self-practice period |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Key points | A single session of telephone counseling with a short version of IRT significantly reduced nightmare frequency and distress after 8 weeks. |
Abstract
Abstract Background Since people with nightmares rarely seek help, low-threshold interventions and self-help methods are needed. Among different treatment approaches for nightmares, imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is the method of choice.
Objective: In the current study, the authors tested whether IRT is also effective when applied in a short version, within the scope of a single session of telephone counseling.
Methods: The nightmare frequency and nightmare distress of 28 participants was investigated before and 8 weeks after one session of telephone counseling. The 30-minute session included information on nightmare etiology as well as a short version of IRT. The session was followed by an 8‑week period of self-practice. Participants were either part of a student group or part of a group of patients from a sleep laboratory. Within-group and between-group differences were assessed. There was no control group.
Results: The intervention significantly reduced nightmare frequency and nightmare distress in the total sample and in both samples individually analyzed. Effect sizes were very high compared to those of waiting-list control groups of similar studies.
Conclusion: We were able to show that a one-session intervention can be enough to achieve significant relief from nightmares. As nightmares are underdiagnosed and undertreated, this approach might help to provide a low-threshold intervention for nightmare sufferers.