Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) Combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

For two individuals with PTSD, adding imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) to trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was feasible and showed promise. After three IRT sessions for one participant and five for the other, both experienced slight decreases in sleep difficulties and PTSD symptom intensity. One participant had a significant reduction in distress from post-traumatic nightmares. The results suggest combining IRT with CBT for PTSD is possible and warrants further study.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares can often persist, even after a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for this disorder. Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a CBT that targets the treatment of nightmares directly. Objectives: the present study describes the feasibility and the efficacy of combining IRT with first-line, trauma-focused CBT for PTSD. Method: two individuals with PTSD took part in this experimental case study protocol. The efficacy of the combined treatment was evaluated using semi-structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and daily self-monitoring diaries. Results: after three IRT sessions for Participant 1 and five IRT sessions for Participant 2, combined with CBT for PTSD, both participants experienced a slight decrease in sleep difficulties and in the intensity of their PTSD symptoms post-treatment. More particularly, one participant demonstrated a significant decrease in the level of distress associated with his post-traumatic nightmares (PTNM). Conclusions: these results demonstrate that it is possible and promising to combine IRT with CBT for PTSD.