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Pilot Study: Brief Posttrauma Nightmare Treatment for Persons With Bipolar Disorder

K. Miller, Joanne L. Davis, Jamie L Rhudy

Dreaming June 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1037/drm0000082 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Pilot study Peer reviewed
Sample size 7
Population Trauma-exposed individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder who reported frequent posttrauma nightmares
Intervention relaxation
Duration 5-week intervention, 3-month follow-up
Topics Dreaming
Key points ERRT-B reduced nightmare frequency and severity and PTSD symptoms, with six of seven participants reporting zero nightmares at three-month follow-up.

Abstract

Previous research on an efficacious cognitive-behavioral treatment for posttrauma nightmares and sleep disturbances (exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy; ERRT) has not tested the treatment in individuals with bipolar disorder. However, research suggests that individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for trauma exposure and development of posttrauma symptoms. The present pilot study sought to examine the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a modified version of ERRT (ERRT-B) on reducing the frequency and severity of nightmares and improving sleep quality for 7 trauma-exposed individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder who also reported frequent posttrauma nightmares (experienced on average for 16 years). Participants attended 5 weeks of ERRT-B and completed baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments to measure changes in nightmare frequency, nightmare severity, and associated symptoms. Large effect sizes were observed for nightmare frequency, nightmare severity, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, with 6 participants reporting zero nightmares at the 3-month follow-up assessment. Improvements in depression, global sleep quality, and insomnia severity were mixed. Results obtained from this study offer preliminary evidence in support of ERRT-B in reducing nightmare frequency and severity, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. These results suggest clinical utility for the treatment of trauma-related nightmares in individuals with bipolar disorder and encourage more research.

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

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