Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Nightmares and Sleep Disturbance in Iraq War Veterans: A Feasible and Promising Treatment Combination
Gerlinde C. Harb, Joan M. Cook, Philip Gehrman, Geraldine M. Gamble, Richard John M Ross
Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma July 23, 2009 DOI: 10.1080/10926770903035150 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot investigation Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 7 |
| Population | Iraq war veterans with post-traumatic stress symptoms, including nightmares and sleep disturbances |
| Intervention | CBT for insomnia |
| Topics | Dreaming PTSD |
| Citations | 42 |
| Key points | Seven Iraq war veterans who completed a combined cognitive-behavioral treatment for nightmares and insomnia showed promising pre-post improvements in nightmare frequency, sleep quality, and PTSD symptoms. The authors suggest that redeployment fears, guilt over perpetration issues, or traumatic brain injury may limit how fully veterans benefit from the treatment. |
Abstract
A substantial proportion of returnees from the Iraq war have significant psychological symptoms related to war zone exposure, including high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares, and sleep disturbances. This pilot investigation examined the feasibility and efficacy of a promising cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for nightmares, Imagery Rehearsal, combined with CBT for insomnia. Seven veterans completed treatment and showed promising pre-post effects regarding nightmare frequency, sleep quality, and PTSD. This report further examined the content of participants' nightmares, changes made during treatment, and potentially important modifying variables of treatment outcome. Those with redeployment fears, guilt due to perpetration issues, or traumatic brain injuries may receive some but not full benefits of the treatment.
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Efficacy of a Cognitive‐Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and Nightmares in Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans With PTSD Journal of Clinical Psychology April 29, 2013
- The nature of posttraumatic nightmares and school functioning in war-affected youth PLoS One November 25, 2020
- Psychosocial treatments for nightmares in adults and children: a systematic review BMC Psychiatry April 21, 2023
- The Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies for Nightmares and Prazosin on the Reduction of Post-Traumatic Nightmares, Sleep, and PTSD Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis of Randomized and Non‐Randomized Studies InTech eBooks November 2, 2016
- 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
and 7 more in the library
Cites 5
- Imagery rehearsal in the treatment of posttraumatic nightmares in Australian veterans with chronic combat-related PTSD: 12-month follow-up data. Journal of Traumatic Stress October 1, 2003
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA August 1, 2001
- Treatment of combat‐related nightmares using imagery rehearsal: A pilot study Journal of Traumatic Stress April 1, 2001
- A controlled study of imagery rehearsal for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with PTSD: a preliminary report. Journal of Traumatic Stress October 1, 2000
- Imagery rehearsal treatment of chronic nightmares: with a thirty month follow-up. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry December 1, 1993