The “Dream Changer”: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a parent-based intervention for childhood nightmares
Stephanie Bourboulis, Michael Gradisar, Michal Kahn
Sleep February 18, 2022 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Children aged 3-10 years (mean 7.1 ± 2.1 years; 51.8% boys) with recurrent nightmares, and one of their parents |
| Duration | 2-week post-intervention assessment; 3-month follow-up for the intervention group |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Children who received the "Dream Changer" device showed greater reductions in nightmare frequency (mean difference 1.7, d = 1.06) and sleep anxiety (mean difference 0.9, d = 0.41) than waitlist controls, with benefits maintained at three months. No significant group differences emerged for children's sleep-wake patterns or parents' daytime sleepiness. The authors present this as preliminary evidence for a brief, accessible intervention. |
Abstract
STUDY
Objectives: Recurrent nightmares in childhood may have a range of detrimental effects for both the child and parents. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a novel parent-based intervention for childhood nightmares, using a new device called the "Dream Changer."
Methods: A total of 56 children aged 3-10 years (M = 7.1 ± 2.1 years; 51.8% boys), and one of their parents were randomized to either the intervention or waitlist control group. The intervention group received a "Dream Changer"-a light-emitting remote-control-like device that the child was encouraged to take to bed and use upon experiencing a nightmare. Parents completed online surveys at baseline, 1-week, and 2-weeks following the intervention. Parents in the intervention group additionally completed a 3-month follow-up survey. Outcome variables included children's nightmare frequency, sleep-wake patterns, and sleep anxiety, as well as parents' daytime sleepiness.
Results: Significant group-by-time interaction effects were found for nightmare frequency (p = 0.001) and sleep anxiety (p = 0.006). Parents of children who received the "Dream Changer" reported fewer nightmares (Mdifference = 1.7, p < 0.001, d = 1.06) and decreased anxiety (Mdifference = 0.9, p = 0.001, d =0.41) at post-intervention, whereas such benefits were not found in the waitlist control group. Three-month follow-up assessments demonstrated that gains were maintained over-time. Interaction effects were not significant for children's sleep metrics or for parents' daytime sleepiness.
Conclusions: The present study provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a brief, highly accessible intervention for reducing children's nightmares and nighttime anxiety. Future research may wish to test these effects using larger samples and longer follow-up assessments. CLINICAL
Trial Registration: The trial has been registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (https://www.anzctr.org.au/; Identifier:ACTRN12620000633987).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficacy of a Cognitive‐Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and Nightmares in Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans With PTSD Combat veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom (mean age... | 2013 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Lucid Dreaming Treatment for Nightmares: A Pilot Study Chronic nightmare sufferers | 2006 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 23 |
| Testing the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in lucid dreaming: A tDCS study Participants spending three consecutive nights in a sleep laboratory | 2013 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 19 |
| Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine stimulates lucid dreaming: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study Adults with high dream recall and an interest in lucid dreaming | 2018 | Randomized crossover trial | n = 121 |
| Studies with lucid dreaming as add-on therapy to Gestalt therapy Adults with nightmares (ICD-10: F51.5) at least twice a week | 2015 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 32 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Conquering nightmares on the phone: one-session counseling using imagery rehearsal therapy Somnologie: Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin September 1, 2021
- Things that Go Bump in the Night: Frequency and Predictors of Nightmares in Anxious and Nonanxious Children. Behavioral Sleep Medicine September 25, 2015
- Prevalence and correlates of disturbed dreaming in children. Pathologie-biologie October 1, 2014
- Adaptation of imagery rehearsal therapy for nightmares in children: A brief report. Psychotherapy December 1, 2009
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for frequent nightmares in children. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2009
and 2 more in the library