Treatment of sleep disturbances in posttraumatic stress disorder: a review.
Frank B Schoenfeld, Jason C Deviva, Rachel Manber
Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2012 DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2011.09.0164 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | PTSD |
| Key findings | Argues that cognitive-behavioral therapies for PTSD sleep disturbances are at least as effective as pharmacologic treatment in the short term and more enduring, that cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia and imagery rehearsal therapy offer promise for insomnia and nightmares, and that pharmacotherapy remains an important adjunct or alternative. The authors contend that more research into specific pharmacologic agents, such as prazosin, is greatly needed, and that insomnia and nightmares may not fully resolve. |
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are among the most commonly reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. It is essential to conduct a careful assessment of the presenting sleep disturbance to select the optimal available treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are at least as effective as pharmacologic treatment in the short-term and more enduring in their beneficial effects. Cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia and imagery rehearsal therapy have been developed to specifically treat insomnia and nightmares and offer promise for more effective relief of these very distressing symptoms. Pharmacotherapy continues to be an important treatment choice for PTSD sleep disturbances as an adjunct to CBT, when CBT is ineffective or not available, or when the patient declines CBT. Great need exists for more investigation into the effectiveness of specific pharmacologic agents for PTSD sleep disturbances and the dissemination of the findings to prescribers. The studies of prazosin and the findings of its effectiveness for PTSD sleep disturbance are examples of studies of pharmacologic agents needed in this area. Despite the progress made in developing more specific treatments for sleep disturbances in PTSD, insomnia and nightmares may not fully resolve.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic Psychiatry's Brave New World. | 2020 | Review | |
| Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD | 2020 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms? | 2018 | Review | |
| Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. | 2016 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- The Effectiveness of Imagery Rescripting Interventions for Military Veterans With Nightmares and Sleep Disturbances: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy July 1, 2024
- Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Treatment for Insomnia, Nightmares, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Survivors of Wildfires: Pilot Randomized Feasibility Trial. JMIR human factors March 14, 2025
- Centrally acting anticholinergic drug trihexyphenidyl is highly effective in reducing nightmares associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Brain and Behavior May 14, 2021
- Treatment of sleep disturbances in trauma-affected refugees: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials November 6, 2017
- Augmenting cognitive processing therapy to improve sleep impairment in PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 21, 2015
Cites 11
- Sleep and Dreaming in Holocaust Survivors Dramatic Decrease in Dream Recall in Well-Adjusted Survivors The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease November 1, 1991
- A combined group treatment for nightmares and insomnia in combat veterans: A pilot study Journal of Traumatic Stress November 11, 2009
- Treatment of nightmares in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder Journal of Clinical Psychology September 23, 2010
- Treating nightmares and insomnia in posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of current evidence. Neuropharmacology March 17, 2011
- Imagery rehearsal for posttraumatic nightmares: A randomized controlled trial Journal of Traumatic Stress October 1, 2010
and 6 more in the library