Lucid dream induction using three different cognitive methods
Sophie Dyck, Michael Schredl, Anja Kühnel
University Library Heidelberg April 25, 2017 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2017.2.37498 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 110 |
| Population | People who completed a three-week lucid dream induction protocol |
| Interventions | Dream diary Wake-up-back-to-Bed reality testing/reflection |
| Duration | Three-week study protocol |
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | The three cognitive techniques did not produce significant overall increases in lucid dream frequency, though the authors report slight increases with Wake-up-back-to-Bed and reality testing/reflection. They propose that future studies extend the study interval, increase participants' motivation and dream recall, and measure lucidity every morning. |
Abstract
Lucid dreaming is a rare phenomenon, therefore different induction techniques are used to increase the lucid dream frequency. In the present study three cognitive methods were tested: Dream diary, Wake-up-back-to-Bed, and reality testing/reflection. Altogether, 110 participants completed the three-week study protocol. The present findings showed that although the overall effects were not significant, slight increases in lucid dream frequency due to the cognitive techniques (Wake-up-back-to-Bed, reality testing/reflection) were measured. Future studies should extend the study interval, increase participants’ motivation and dream recall and lucidity should be measured every morning.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on lucid 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 |
| Neural Correlates of Dream Lucidity Obtained from Contrasting Lucid versus Non-Lucid REM Sleep: A Combined EEG/fMRI Case Study Experienced lucid dreamers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 4 |
| Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep. Individuals during REM sleep, including frequent lucid dreamers, a novice, and a... | 2021 | Observational study | n = 36 |
| Lucid Dreaming in Narcolepsy Consecutive patients with narcolepsy and healthy controls | 2015 | Case-control study | n = 106 |
| Metacognitive Mechanisms Underlying Lucid Dreaming Human participants split into high- and low-lucidity groups based on reported dream... | 2015 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- A systematic review of new empirical data on lucid dream induction techniques. Journal of Sleep Research June 1, 2023
- Is It a Good Idea to Cultivate Lucid Dreaming? Frontiers in Psychology November 15, 2019
- Findings From the International Lucid Dream Induction Study. Frontiers in Psychology 2020
- Exploring the range of reported dream lucidity Philosophy and the Mind Sciences April 15, 2021
- Haunted by Nightmares: Factors Associated with Nightmare Frequency and Experiences Psychology 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 16
- Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Sleep September 1, 2009
- Lucid Dreaming Verified by Volitional Communication during Rem Sleep Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 1981
- Questionnaires and diaries as research instruments in dream research: Methodological issues. Dreaming March 1, 2002
- Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research Consciousness and Cognition June 20, 2016
- Testing the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in lucid dreaming: A tDCS study Consciousness and Cognition September 8, 2013
and 11 more in the library