When the mind reprocesses the night: A clinical case study on eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for idiopathic nightmare disorder
Filipa Almeida, Maria Inês Clara, Margarida Rodrigues, Ana Allen Gomes
Sleep Research June 2, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/slp2.70038 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Adult with idiopathic nightmare disorder |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Emdr Idiopathic Nightmare disorder Nightmares |
| Key findings | EMDR therapy produced clinically meaningful and reliable improvements in nightmare symptoms, nightmare-related distress, and sleep quality, with post-intervention scores falling within the normative range. |
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Nightmare Disorder (ND) is a prevalent sleep disorder linked to nocturnal and daytime impairments. Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) shows moderate effects, and evidence for other psychological interventions, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), remains scarce in adults with idiopathic ND (IND).
Methods: This case study explored EMDR therapy's potential for treating IND. Nightmare symptoms, nightmare‐related distress, and sleep quality were assessed pre‐ (T1) and post‐intervention (T2).
Results: Score changes were clinically meaningful and reliable within a 95% confidence interval, with T2 scores falling within the normative range.
Conclusions: Specialized nightmare treatment reduces functional impact and chronicity; further investigation of EMDR therapy could improve intervention.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming as a Learnable Skill: A Case Study The author | 1980 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Lucid Dreaming as a Treatment for Recurrent Nightmares People with recurrent nightmares | 2010 | Case study | n = 5 |
| Treating Chronic Nightmares of Sexual Assault Survivors with an Intellectual Disability – Two Descriptive Case Studies Adults with learning disabilities suffering from post-traumatic nightmares | 2006 | Case study | n = 2 |
| Lucid dreaming: Correspondence between dreamed and actual events in one subject during rem sleep A lucid dreamer | 1984 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Lucid dreaming treatment for nightmares: A series of cases. Participants with nightmares | 2003 | Case series | n = 8 |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Aetiology and treatment of nightmare disorder: State of the art and future perspectives Journal of Sleep Research January 29, 2019
- The effectiveness of lucid dreaming therapy in patients with nightmares: A systematic review. L'Encephale October 1, 2023
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for the treatment of nightmares in individuals with borderline personality disorder – A pilot study Journal of Psychiatric Research December 28, 2024
- Nightmare Disorder. Sleep Medicine Clinics March 1, 2024
- Nightmares and psychiatric symptoms: A systematic review of longitudinal, experimental, and clinical trial studies. Clinical Psychology Review December 17, 2022
and 4 more in the library