Measure of dream recall frequency: comparing retrospective and logbook evaluations
Nicolas Ribeiro, Yannick Gounden, Véronique Quaglino
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) August 17, 2017 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2018.1.40617 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Duration | 21-day logbook period |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Dream recall frequency estimated retrospectively before keeping a logbook was significantly lower than frequency recorded in a 21-day online logbook. A retrospective estimate made after the logbook, covering the same period, did not differ from the logbook estimate. The authors suggest the discrepancy between the pre-logbook estimate and the logbook may be influenced by factors other than the measurement method itself. |
Abstract
Dream recall frequency (DRF) is the main indicator for evaluating dream. In home-setting, DRF can be established using two major methods: the retrospective estimation (RE) and the logbook estimation (LE). No research to date has compared DRF obtained with these two methods on the same period and using an online logbook that does not allow rereading of previous reports. We aim at investigating on these two methods by evaluating their influence on the recall frequency of dream (DRF). In the present study, the protocol consisted of online questionnaires in order to prevent rereading: an initial RE, a LE for a 21-day period, and a final RE. Both RE were based on an open-ended question about DRF on the last 21 days. Thus, the score of DRF assessed with the LE and the post-logbook RE were established on the same period. In line with the literature, our results revealed that the score of DRF with the pre-logbook RE was significantly inferior to the score of DRF obtained with the LE. However, the score of DRF with post-logbook RE was not different to the score obtained with LE. Our preliminary results are discussed by suggesting that disparities existing between Pre-logbook RE and LE might be undermined by other factors than methods influence on DRF. We recommend that further methodological comparisons should cares about effects of period investigated and influence of rereading on memory.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Student volunteers trained to become lucid and signal lucidity with horizontal eye... | 2009 | Observational study | n = 6 |
| Nightmare Prevalence, Nightmare Distress, and Self-Reported Psychological Disturbance Young adults with a mean age of 20 years | 2002 | Prospective observational study | n = 116 |
| Long-term effects of extreme situational stress on sleep and dreaming Survivors of traumatic events who complained of sleep disturbances, compared with... | 1987 | Case-control study | n = 11 |
| The relationship of nightmare frequency and nightmare distress to well‐being Adults who reported dreams | 2004 | Observational cohort | n = 147 |
| Dreaming in NREM Sleep: A High-Density EEG Study of Slow Waves and Spindles Healthy human subjects | 2018 | Observational cohort | n = 14 |