Impact of imagery rehearsal treatment on distressing dreams, psychological distress, and sleep parameters in nightmare patients.
Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2003 DOI: 10.1207/s15402010bsm0103_2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study (single-group, repeated measures) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Chronic nightmare patients |
| Intervention | Imagery rehearsal treatment (IRT) |
| Duration | Single IRT session; assessments before and 8.5 weeks after treatment |
| Topics | Depression Dreaming |
| Keywords | Humans Polysomnography Retrospective studies Affect Imagination Dreams Adult Female Sleep wake disorders |
| Key points | A single imagery rehearsal treatment session was followed by significant reductions in retrospective nightmare frequency (d = 1.06), prospective bad dream frequency (d = 0.53), and anxiety (d = 1.01) in 12 chronic nightmare patients. Sleep quality showed only minimal changes that varied by nightmare etiology, suggesting sleep improvement may emerge later in recovery. |
Abstract
We investigated the impact of imagery rehearsal treatment (IRT) on nightmare frequency, psychological distress, and sleep quality using polysomnography (PSG). 12 chronic nightmare patients completed prospective dream logs, measures of psychological distress, and underwent PSG prior to and 8.5 weeks following a single IRT session. Post-treatment, significant reductions were observed in retrospective nightmare frequency (d = 1.06, p = .007), prospective bad dream frequency (d = 0.53, p = .03), and anxiety scores (d = 1.01, p = .004). Minimal sleep alterations were found post-IRT, and varied as a function of nightmare etiology. The results independently replicate the efficacy of IRT for alleviating disturbing dreams and psychological distress. Sleep improvement may occur later in the recovery process.
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
Cited by 38
- Efficacy of a Cognitive‐Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and Nightmares in Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans With PTSD Journal of Clinical Psychology April 29, 2013
- Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Dreaming December 1, 2004
- Treatment of nightmares in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder Journal of Clinical Psychology September 23, 2010
- Nightmares: Knowledge and attitudes in health care providers and nightmare sufferers Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology July 31, 2014
- Psychosocial treatments for nightmares in adults and children: a systematic review BMC Psychiatry April 21, 2023
and 33 more in the library
Cites 4
- The prevalence of nightmares and their independence from anxiety. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 1990
- The Beneficial Effects of One Treatment Session and Recording of Nightmares on Chronic Nightmare Sufferers Sleep September 1, 1992
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA August 1, 2001
- Treatment of combat‐related nightmares using imagery rehearsal: A pilot study Journal of Traumatic Stress April 1, 2001