A combined group treatment for nightmares and insomnia in combat veterans: A pilot study
Leslie M Swanson, Todd Favorite, Elizabeth V. Horin, J. Todd Arnedt
Journal of Traumatic Stress November 11, 2009 DOI: 10.1002/jts.20468 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open clinical trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Combat veterans with PTSD |
| Interventions | Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia Exposure rescripting and relaxation therapy |
| Duration | 10-session group treatment |
| Measures | self-report measures of sleep quality and PTSD symptoms, sleep and dream diaries |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Citations | 88 |
| Key findings | Participants reported improvements in sleep and nightmares following treatment, suggesting preliminary efficacy of the combined treatment for insomnia and nightmares in combat veterans with PTSD. |
Abstract
Insomnia and nightmares are hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sleep disturbances in PTSD negatively impact clinical course and functioning. In this open clinical trial, the preliminary effects of a combined treatment for insomnia and nightmares in combat veterans with PTSD were assessed. Ten combat veterans participated in a 10-session group treatment combining cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia with exposure, rescripting, and relaxation therapy. Participants maintained daily sleep and dream diaries and completed self-report measures of sleep quality and PTSD symptoms pre- and posttreatment. Participants reported improvements in sleep and nightmares following treatment. Future research using controlled designs to evaluate this treatment is warranted.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Does training increase NREM dream recall? A pilot study High dream recallers | 2013 | Pilot study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Efficacy of a Cognitive‐Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and Nightmares in Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans With PTSD Journal of Clinical Psychology April 29, 2013
- Psychosocial treatments for nightmares in adults and children: a systematic review BMC Psychiatry April 21, 2023
- 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
- The Effectiveness of Imagery Rescripting Interventions for Military Veterans With Nightmares and Sleep Disturbances: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy July 1, 2024
- Nightmares in Medical Practice Interactive science March 20, 2020
and 9 more in the library
Cites 3
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for posttraumatic nightmares in U.S. veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress June 1, 2009
- A systematic review of cognitive-behavioral treatment for nightmares: toward a well-established treatment. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine October 1, 2008
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA August 1, 2001