Dream process in asthmatic subjects with nocturnal attacks
Jane Clements Monday, Jacques Montplaisir, Jean‐Luc Malo
American Journal of Psychiatry May 1, 1987 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.144.5.638 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | 12 asthmatic subjects with nocturnal attacks and 12 matched normal control subjects |
| Duration | 3 consecutive nights |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key findings | Asthmatic subjects with nocturnal attacks reported more "white dreams" (a vivid impression of dreaming without recalled content) after morning and REM awakenings, used shorter sentences in dream narrations, and had no dream recall when awakened during nocturnal asthma attacks. The authors suggest conflictual material emerging during REM or other sleep stages may contribute to nocturnal attacks but is repressed on awakening. |
Abstract
Polygraphic sleep recordings were made and dream reports collected over 3 consecutive nights for 12 asthmatic subjects with nocturnal attacks and 12 matched normal control subjects. The asthmatic group 1) had more episodes of a vivid impression of dreaming without recollection of dream content ("white dreams") after awakening spontaneously in the morning (nights 1 and 2) and after awakening immediately following REM sleep (night 3), 2) used shorter sentences in dream narrations, and 3) had no dream recall when awakened during nocturnal asthma attacks. The authors suggest that conflictual material emerging during REM or other sleep stages may contribute to the occurrence of nocturnal attacks but is repressed on awakening.